New Zealand Family Physician 30 (3) June 2003 : 217-219

This article highlights the author's attendance at the general practitioner's conference, WONCA Europe 2002/RCGP 50th Jubilee Conference in London in June 2002. The author summarises the sessions relating to domestic violence research and findings. One study mentioned was based in Brisbane and examined the relationship between women being abused and clinical depression; the importance of doctor-patient communications in abuse disclosure; and the need for ongoing education and training for GPs in dealing with domestic violence cases. The second study focused on the results of an East London study involving women who were either physically or sexually abused. The study was done via a self-administered questionnaire that examined where domestic violence identification and management required more than a medical or public health model. The third presentation mentioned explored GPs interactions with victims, their partners, and children, and the stress involved for family doctors. Recommendations for training needs, dangers on assumptions, and how to deal with family violence were provided by the presenters. The presenters of this session also stressed need for training and referral resources for the GPs. The author summarises other plenary sessions that she attended and the disadvantage of having many enriching sessions to attend that occur concurrently with one another.