'Linking the orthopaedic patient with community family violence resources'

An early article on health system response to domestic abuse by Randall in JAMA stated that health providers may be the first and only professionals in a position to recognize violence in their patient's lives. Health providers see many more victims of domestic violence than they realize. In fact, victims of domestic violence will interact with their health providers for both routine and abuse-related care. Early, effective intervention can interrupt the cycle of violence, prevent more serious injuries and symptoms, prevent long-term mental health and psychiatric symptoms, and prevent abuse to children. The most important contribution health providers can make to end abuse and protect the health of its victims is to identify and acknowledge that abuse, because that alone can empower the victim to begin a progression toward safety.