Relinquishing the need to "fix it": medical intervention with domestic abuse

The grounded theory method was used to study obstetricians/gynecologists' interactions with victims of domestic abuse. Double-bind conflict emerged as the basic social psychological problem. Physicians struggled between approaching domestic abuse as a legitimate medical problem or retreating from it as an overwhelming social issue. Resolution occurred through a three-stage process that changed the doctors' objective from "fixing" the abuse to supporting the patient. This goal revision required education on the dynamics of domestic abuse, confrontation of personal issues, and formation of community partnerships. Implications include development of curricula and protocols to create a united front against domestic abuse within health care, social service, legal, and law enforcement communities.