The place of intimate partner violence in healthcare

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health issue that has emotional, mental, and physical effects on survivors.

Physicians are in a unique trusted position to identify victims of violence based on common symptoms and conditions consistent with IPV. Several barriers to disclosing violence exist, among them survivors not feeling safe and physicians not knowing how best to handle disclosures.

Physicians can use methods of open communication to ask questions that will facilitate conversations about IPV. Advocates at sexual assault and IPV agencies and physicians have a duty to work together to provide trauma-informed support and care for survivors.

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