Domestic Violence: A CME Guide to Identifying Victims and Perpetrators

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Differentiate the categories, risk factors, and behavioral warning signs of domestic violence in both victims and perpetrators.

2. Apply validated screening tools and inquiry techniques to identify domestic violence in clinical practice.

3. Formulate a comprehensive intervention plan that addresses the patient’s physical, emotional, and safety needs, recognizing that the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit.

4. Implement mandatory reporting protocols and referrals to community resources according to state laws.

Domestic violence is a common, under-detected, and high-morbidity problem that physicians encounter across nearly every clinical setting. This activity equips MDs and DOs to recognize domestic violence in clinical practice, screen appropriately using validated tools, respond with a safe and supportive intervention, document findings in a way that supports both patient safety and downstream legal needs, and apply the reporting and referral obligations that arise in Florida and other jurisdictions.

Emphasis is placed on whole-person care, including the patient's physical safety, emotional well-being, autonomy, family context, and continuity of care.

Educational Gap

Despite high prevalence, many patients experiencing domestic violence remain unidentified in clinical encounters because of barriers at the screening step and provider uncertainty about next actions. This course closes those gaps with evidence-based frameworks for identification, documentation, intervention, and compliance with mandatory reporting laws.

This activity satisfies the 2-hour domestic violence continuing education requirement for Florida allopathic and osteopathic physicians.