Medical student training in domestic violence: a comparison of students entering residency training in 1995 and 2001.
BACKGROUND
As domestic violence (DV) is frequently unrecognized by physicians, efforts to improve education on the topic have been undertaken.


OBJECTIVE
To assess changes in medical education about DV.


METHODS
Incoming residents from 1995 (N = 52) and 2001 (N = 43) were surveyed regarding education and attitudes about DV.


RESULTS
The resident-reported emphasis on DV education increased significantly from 1995 to 2001. Hours devoted to the subject experienced no significant change. The likelihood they would ask female patients about DV and their competence in dealing with DV-specific situations experienced no significant improvement-both were rated below average.


CONCLUSIONS
Although emphasis on medical education about DV has improved from 1995 to 2001, likelihood of screening and competence at dealing with DV has not improved. The content of undergraduate medical education about DV should be strengthened, and the educational process should continue during residency training.
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women's Health, Maricopa Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85008, USA.
Alex W
AW
Miller
Dean V
DV
Coonrod
M Jane
MJ
Brady
Maricela P
MP
Moffitt
R Curtis
RC
Bay
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003625:Data Collection; D017579:Domestic Violence; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D014481:United States