A new short course has been specifically designed for busy health care professionals to equip them with the skills to recognise and respond to the sensitive topic of domestic and family violence.
The course was developed by clinician academics Kelsey Hegarty and Renee Fiolet, from the University of Melbourne, in line with recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence. Kelsey is a professor and a general practitioner who works across the university and the Royal Women’s Hospital. Renee is a doctoral student with a nursing background.
Domestic and family violence causes physical and psychological harm, particularly to women, children, and families and undermines communities. The commission suggested busy health care professionals required adequate training and health care services needed to provide a whole-of-service response.
The course – Identifying and Responding to Domestic and Family Violence – is accessible from any smart device, including a mobile phone and tablet, as well as a computer.
“Mobile learning is an ideal option for doctors and nurses to upskill on this sensitive and critical topic,” Renee said. “Our course contains a practical toolkit for busy healthcare professionals to recognise risk and respond to domestic and family violence, and this valuable resource can be referred to at any time, right from a mobile phone.”
The course facilitates busy health care professionals to review and reflect on their health setting environment, and assess their need for support, to carry out this sensitive and important work. There is further guidance on how to refer and record cases of domestic and family violence, including information on what practitioners can share.
More information on the course
Disclaimer: This article was provided by The University of Melbourne. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.
