Family physicians and human rights: a case example from former Yugoslavia.
BACKGROUND
The role of family physicians in the protection of human rights is unclear. The purpose of this article is to explore this role through examination of the specific case of former Yugoslavia.


METHODS
In January/February 1993, we investigated medical aspects of human rights abuses as part of a fact-finding mission for the Physicians for Human Rights organization. We used primarily qualitative methods, including direct observation, key informant interviews, focus groups, and key document review.


RESULTS
We observed pervasive violations of medical neutrality, as indicated by the shelling of Kosevo Hospital, the major tertiary care hospital in Sarajevo. Forty-one percent of former prison camp detainees from north Bosnia housed at the Karlovac, Croatia, refugee camp had scars consistent with physical abuse. Civilians in north central Bosnia and Sarajevo were targeted through physical violence, artillery shelling, and strangulation of the public health infrastructure--food, water, electricity, heat, and medical supplies.


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians can be uniquely useful in the investigation of human rights. The flexibility of family physicians and their attention to the biopsycosocial aspects of health can be especially useful. Family physicians should become actively involved in the protection of human rights.
Sonis
J
J
Department of Family Practice, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, USA.
Crane
T
T
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002960:Civil Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006806:Human Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008493:Medical Missions / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010819:Physician's Role; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D015022:Yugoslavia