General Practitioner (GP) profile
Introduction:
The General Practitioner (GP) Pathfinder profile provides practical advice and outlines how to ask about abuse and respond to disclosures from patients, refer and signposts victims of domestic abuse and share best practice approaches of responding to domestic abuse in general practices.
This is part of the Pathfinder project which aims to establish a comprehensive health practice in relation to domestic abuse and wider issues relating to Violence Against Women and Girls.
SafeLives’ Insights dataset found that on average, a victim will experience abuse for three years before getting effective help and will visit their GP on average 4.3 times1. It is imperative that GPs are equipped to ask the right questions and support victims through disclosure and referral.
Briefing paper
Pathfinder practice briefing for GPs
Other resources
Resource: Medical Power and Control Wheel
Best practice case study: Arch Dentistry Programme
Briefing paper: Marac guidance for GPs
Blog: Best practice in responding to domestic abuse in primary care
Blog: Improving the health response to domestic abuse in Blackpool
Q&A: GP Dr Tara Jones- Surrey's GP response to domestic abuse
I just cried. I was just so relieved that somebody, that somebody just said something. And he (the GP) gave me the box of tissues and I just sat and cried and cried and cried. And he said, 'Tell me when you're ready.' And I poured it all out and that's when he said about the specialist worker. He said, there is somebody out there to help me. I'm not on my own. And if I want help, it's there and not to be ashamed of it. Which I was, really ashamed of it. And he said, 'You're not on your own. We can get you this help.' And he did. He really did.
- Victim who was supported by an Iris-trained GP surgery
1SafeLives, Insights health England and Wales 2018