[Domestic violence--the physician's role: screening, diagnosis and primary intervention]

In 1997, the WHO declared domestic vioLence to be a health issue requiring medical attention. According to epidemiological data, it is a highly prevalent disease, with considerable short and long-term effects. Its treatment mandates diverse skills, such as clinical knowledge, emotional consideration, systemic vision and multi-disciplinary cooperation. There is controversy as to the effectiveness of screening for the disease. There is no agreement as to a single screening questionnaire and its use. Therefore, there are no recommendations for or against screening. Nevertheless, according to the Israeli Health Ministry's directives, it is the duty of physicians to perform screening for domestic violence in women and it is mandatory, according to criminal law, to report the abuse of children and helpless elderly to the proper authorities. Although there is no direct evidence from controLLed trials that medical intervention reduces the occurrence of the disease and prevents its recurrence, some medical organizations recommend that physicians should screen their patients for it, provide primary intervention, support, information, protection and connection with supportive authorities.