The Journal of family practice
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To determine whether a diverse group of people would predominantly choose a white male physician regardless of group member's sex and ethnicity when given a choice among 6 actor-portrayed video doctors (males and females of Latino, European, and African descent) and whether further exposure would alter initial selections. ⋯ Many healthcare consumers will accept physicians of both sexes and of different races. After observing the video doctors demonstrate a professional and warm affect, participants became even more receptive to choosing a video doctor of a different race. Video doctor technology holds promise for increasing our understanding of patients' preferences.
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Physicians should routinely screen women for domestic violence. Although the US Domestic Task Force considers the evidence for or against specific instruments insufficient, the recommendation to include questions about physical abuse may be made on other grounds, such as the high prevalence of undetected abuse among women patients, the potential value of this information in helping such patients, and the low cost and low risk of screening. Offer abused patients information about community resources and advocates. Advocacy and connections with community agencies have proven helpful (in a randomized controlled trial) in improving quality of life and preventing violence-related injuries.