Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Understanding the Role of Physicians in Addressing Intimate Partner Violence

Understanding the Role of Physicians in Addressing Intimate Partner Violence

Introduction

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue that affects individuals across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines IPV as behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm. With approximately 30% of ever-partnered women worldwide experiencing IPV, the health implications are profound and far-reaching. This blog will explore how physicians can improve their skills in addressing IPV by implementing research outcomes and engaging with educational resources.

Understanding Physicians' Roles in IPV

Recent research titled "Conceptualizing Physicians’ Roles in Addressing Intimate Partner Violence: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Resources for Canadian Physicians" provides valuable insights into how physicians can effectively address IPV. The study outlines three core roles for physicians: learning about IPV, identifying patients experiencing IPV, and responding to patients’ disclosures of IPV. These roles are interconnected and form a cyclical model that emphasizes the ongoing process of medicalization in addressing IPV.

Key Roles and Their Importance

The Medicalization of IPV

The study highlights the medicalization of IPV, where IPV is increasingly viewed as a health issue that can be addressed within medical settings. This approach empowers physicians to frame IPV as a medical concern, thereby legitimizing their role in intervention and support. However, it also raises concerns about the potential for over-medicalization, where broader social and structural factors contributing to IPV may be overlooked.

Implications for Practice

For physicians, understanding the medicalization process and its implications is crucial. It is important to balance medical intervention with an awareness of the social and cultural contexts of IPV. Physicians should strive to create a supportive environment that encourages patients to disclose IPV and seek help. Additionally, engaging with educational resources and participating in professional development can enhance physicians' readiness to address IPV effectively.

Conclusion

By embracing their roles in learning, identifying, and responding to IPV, physicians can play a pivotal role in supporting patients affected by IPV. Continuous education and awareness of the medicalization process are essential for providing comprehensive care. Physicians are encouraged to explore the original research for a deeper understanding of these roles and their impact on addressing IPV.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Conceptualizing Physicians’ Roles in Addressing Intimate Partner Violence: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Resources for Canadian Physicians.


Citation: Cavanagh, A., Kimber, M., MacMillan, H. L., Ritz, S. A., & Vanstone, M. (2023). Conceptualizing physicians’ roles in addressing intimate partner violence: A critical discourse analysis of resources for Canadian physicians. Violence Against Women, 29(9), 1640-1669. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012221114922
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP