Citation

Romain-Glassey N, Gut M, Cathieni F, Hofner MC, Mangin P. J. Forensic Leg. Med. 2011; 18(4): 158-161.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jflm.2011.02.002

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In 2006, a medico-legal consultation service devoted to adult victims of interpersonal violence was set up at the Lausanne University Hospital Centre, Switzerland: the Violence Medical Unit. Patients are received by forensic nurses for support, forensic examination (in order to establish medical report) and community orientation.

In 2008, a telephone survey was conducted on patients. The objectives of the survey were to estimate the degree of patients' satisfaction and to document the use of the medical report by six questions. Among the 476 patients admitted to the VMU in 2007, 132 were interviewed. Their overall satisfaction was high with an average mark of 8.7/10. The medical report was used extensively by the interviewed victims (81%) for its primary function - to be produced as evidence.

As the consultations are financed by public funds, these results were of interest for advocacy of long-lasting financial support.