Citation

Lorente Acosta M. Emergencias 2008; 20(3): 191-197.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, SEMES - Sociedad Española de Medicina de Urgencias y Emergencias)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

The consequences of gender violence on health have frequently been disguised in the form of various clinical pictures and disorders, in the same way that violence is overlooked in society through justifications and rationalizations. Social transformation and critical thought regarding violence is favouring the rise of new cases, which have translated into a significant increase in domestic violence reports filed; reaching 43.5% in the last five years. These circumstances have resulted in a higher demand for emergency healthcare services. Nevertheless, in spite of this increase, the global prevalence of gender violence (30% of women as documented by the WHO) is inconsistent with the number of cases presented to emergency department, which is approximately 17%. Besides, female victims of violence require medical services 30% more often than women who do not suffer violence indicating that many of the cases show a symptomatology not related to the physical injuries resulting from violent aggressions. The objective of the present study was to point out the consequences of violence beyond the specific aggression and to assess the view of the medical professionals with respect to gender violence, specifically that of emergency physicians and highlight the limitations and difficulties they face. This will help to ensure that physician response is not influenced by the personal consequences derived from the violent aggression and limited to that specific aggression. Medical professionals must focus on the health of the woman who suffered the violence and should in no case, provide clinical assistance based on other types of factors (police report, beliefs and prejudices,...). Emergency physicians must be aware that "to do nothing is to do harm" because other wise, women will continue to suffer violence and their health will further deteriorate. The data reported may help professionals maintain a code of conduct and respond to cases of gender violence following two very simple criteria: to act in the same way as they would in other health situations that have personal consequences, and to bear in mind that behind an aggression there is health problem caused by violence, which in many cases will characterize the clinical picture. [Emergencias 2008;20:191-197]