Zeitschrift für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie
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People who have become victims of domestic or public violence often suffer long-term physical, psychological and social impairment. Due to physical injury, the first contact with the health care system is frequently an A & E Department. Thus, physicians and especially surgeons play a key role in detecting victims of domestic or public violence. The specific needs of victims are adequate medical treatment of injuries, forensic documentation, as well as interdisciplinary medical support to prevent further morbidity and violence. To take this into account, so-called expertise centres for victims of violence have been established at several locations in Germany in recent years. In this study: I. We tried to define the characteristics of victims of domestic and public violence to ensure better identification by physicians/surgeons. II. We elucidate the acceptance and effectiveness of such an expertise centre one year after its implementation and for a period of three years (2007 - 2009) and for a follow-up period of three years (2014 - 2016) after establishment. ⋯ Physicians and especially trauma surgeons are responsible for identifying victims of domestic or public violence and ensuring further treatment. Accordingly, it is crucial that the expertise centre should characterise the victims of violence and be aware of their different needs, if the expertise centre is to be accepted. The results of this study indicate that interdisciplinary training and close cooperation between traumatology and legal medicine are the main prerequisites for continuous improvement in the treatment of victims of violence.