Setting up a domestic violence telephone helpline for general practitioners in Australia: What exists and what works?

Background: Domestic violence is a global health issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends training health professionals to respond appropriately to victims of domestic violence. Despite those who experience domestic violence attending general practice, general practitioners (GPs) receive little training in managing this issue.

Who consults chiropractors in Victoria, Australia?: Reasons for attending, general health and lifestyle habits of chiropractic patients.

Background: COAST (Chiropractic Observational and Analysis STudy) reported the clinical practices of chiropractors. The aims of this study were to: 1) describe the chiropractic patient demographic and health characteristics; 2) describe patient-stated reasons for visiting a chiropractor; 3) describe chiropractic patient lifestyle characteristics; 4) compare, where possible, chiropractic patient characteristics to the general Australian population.

Methods: Fifty-two chiropractors in Victoria, Australia, provided information for up to 100 consecutive encounters.

Identifying and responding to men who use violence in their intimate relationships.

Background: Perpetrators of domestic violence are predominantly men, and victims/survivors are usually women and children. Men who use violence in their relationships may present to general practice with relationship problems, mental health issues or substance abuse. Domestic violence has a significant negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the whole family.