Domestic violence: caring for a colleague

Domestic abuse is a devastating social, legal, and health care problem of enormous proportions. Routine and multiple screenings by skilled health care providers, when conducted face-to-face, markedly increase the identification of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. Patients are not the only ones who can benefit from domestic violence screening and intervention. This article describes the subtle signs of domestic abuse that might be observed in a colleague, explains how to initiate a conversation with a colleague, and suggests appropriate ways to offer support.