BMJ  2007;334:706-707 (7 April), doi:10.1136/bmj.39168.644757.BE

Editorials

Intimate partner violence

Doctors' roles should be integrated with the needs of patients and society

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The World Health Organization's study on domestic violence against women highlights the need for immediate action.¹ The study across 10 countries used robust culturally appropriate methods to assess the extent and effects on health of intimate partner violence and non-partner violence in 24 000 women. The lifetime prevalence of physical or sexual intimate partner violence (or both) in women who had ever had a partner ranged from 15% to 71% (29-62% at most sites), though prevalence varied significantly between and within countries (large cities versus less populated areas).

We know more about the epidemiology of this type of violence than how to identify, prevent, and reduce it. However, recent research has made great strides, including identifying optimal methods for further evaluation of case screening in emergency departments, family medicine practices, and women's health clinics²; examining women's acceptance of screening^{2 3}; identifying effective interventions⁴; and identifying successful strategies for . . . [Full text of this article]

Box 1 Recommendations from the WHO study¹ aimed at strengthening the health sector response

Develop a comprehensive health sector response to the effects of violence against women
Use reproductive health services as entry points for identifying and supporting women in abusive relationships, and for delivering referral or support services

Box 2 CanMEDS definitions of doctors' roles. Reprinted with permission from appendix B of the CanMEDS 2005 physician competency framework⁹

Medical expert (the central role)
Communicator
Collaborator
Manager
Health advocate
Scholar
Professional

Box 3 Key features of the health sector WHO recommendations,¹ with examples of CanMEDS roles⁹ in dealing with intimate partner violence

Integrating appropriate responses to violence against women into all aspects of clinical care
Medical expert
Professional
Communicator
Manager
Scholar
Advocating for prevention and for services
Health advocate and medical expert
Working with other health professionals and other sectors
Collaborator
Sensitising and training health professionals
Scholar
Professional

Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M2K IZ4

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