The aims of this special report are to raise awareness among radiologists and allied health professionals as to what injuries are associated with IPV and how to proceed when IPV is suspected. But what happens if this is overlooked in a busy ED, especially during the pandemic? Will such injuries be treated as routine trauma? The victim may not know that resources are available to support IPV victims. When asked whether they should proactively inquire about the mechanism of trauma when they suspect IPV, many radiologists reply that the emergency department (ED) or referring physician should be responsible. The concept of becoming involved in the social needs of patients may be unusual to some radiologists. Īs imaging professionals, we should consider our societal role during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected IPV victims in many ways, constraining them to unsafe home environments and limiting both their access to and the availability of support services such as hospital-based support systems, counselling, and women’s shelters. The incidence and severity of this form of violence has dramatically increased during the pandemic, with double-digit increases in incidence in several countries around the globe. ![]() Radiologists are integral providers of medical care and encounter a wide cross-section of patients, including patients with injuries related to intimate partner violence (IPV). However, it has become evident that the pandemic is not only a medical challenge, but also strains entire social and political systems across the world. As the pandemic is still ongoing, it is too early to make a judgement on what can be learned from it, or to measure the full impact of social distancing and lockdown. While these interventions slowed the spread of the coronavirus to some degree, they brought with them a multitude of associated mental and physical health issues for the confined population. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, most governments of Asian, European, Australian, and American countries enacted nation-wide lockdowns ordering the closure of all schools, universities, and non-essential businesses, in addition to restricting public gatherings and recommending that people stay at home. Radiologists should carefully review the medical history of suspicious cases, discuss the suspicion with the referring physician, and proactively engage in a private conversation with the patient, pointing to actionable resources for IPV victims.Most IPV-related fractures affect the face, fingers, and upper trunk, and may easily be misinterpreted as routine trauma. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |