General practitioners (GPs) who work full time are engaging with approximately five women per week who, within the last year, have been violated (physically, emotionally or sexually) by their intimate partner. Many patients will not display any obvious physical indicators of the abuse, but the harm can be severe and long lasting. Domestic violence and the chronic stress associated with it can contribute to compromised immunity and in this way may underlie repeated though apparently unrelated presentations to GPs. It is an important contributor to the high rates of anxiety and depression in Australian women.
In these and many other ways, domestic violence contributes more to death, disability and illness in Australian women than any other preventable health issue . Extensive research has shown that victims of domestic violence want to disclose the abuse, and the likelihood of disclosure is significantly increased if they are asked about it directly by a trusted health professional.
Training to recognise and respond to domestic violence can equip GPs to both initiate conversations about domestic violence, and to respond with competence and confidence to disclosures.
In a collaborative project between North Coast Primary Health Network and the Northern NSW Local Health District, expressions of interest from GPs are being sought to participate in a pilot project whereby GPs will be trained to provide domestic violence routine screening and response.
In addition to receiving free training, GPs who participate in the project will be fully supported with resources for patients, and information about referral pathways. GPs will also have access to ongoing personal support to respond to questions or issues that arise as they build capacity to engage with this important work.
Click here to download the expression of interest form.
For more information, please contact Melanie Lotfali at the Northern NSW Local Health District:
Phone: (02) 6621 1245 (Mon, Tues, Wed)
Email: [email protected]
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