INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE AND THE EDUCATION OF PHYSICIANS

Physicians in every field of practice can expect to be called upon to care for patients whose lives have been affected by interpersonal viol ence. Although the medical profession has begun to acknowledge the app ropriate role of physicians in screening, diagnosis, and treatment of interpersonal violence, these areas have not been fully addressed in t he curricula of most medical schools. Competencies in the understandin g of violence and its treatment are proposed for medical students, res idents, and practicing physicians. By the time of graduation, all medi cal students should be able to demonstrate appropriate attitudes, core knowledge, and basic skills in assessment and intervention of patient s at risk from or experiencing violence. During postgraduate training, residents should amass specialized knowledge and skill concerning the spectrum of injuries and illnesses they may encounter in clinical pra ctice. Faculty development efforts should address the advancement of f aculty who are well trained in a scholarly approach to teaching and re search in this field. This paper describes methods by which educationa l efforts in interpersonal violence can be introduced into medical edu cation. Proposed goats and objectives for curriculum development in sc hools of medicine, along with an implementation plan, are offered.