James chats to Rosemary Isaacs about domestic violence in the Emergency Department and how to recognize and document situations of strangulation and assault.
Summary Writer: Emily Qian
Script Writer: Rosemary Isaacs
Editor: Rosemary Isaacs
Interviewee: Rosemary Isaacs
Dr Rosemary Isaacs works at Royal Prince Alfred and Liverpool hospitals in the medical and forensic response to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and child abuse. Rosemary is a Fellow of the Faculty of Clinical Forensic Medicine in the RCPA and also a Fellow in General Practice of the RCGP.
Rosemary is convinced that this is an area where doctors with specific training can make a big difference to vulnerable people in our community. In addition, the anxiety and distress for health staff are much reduced when they have a framework for responding to these issues.
With Dr Rosemary Isaacs, Forensic Specialist, General Practitioner and Medical Director of Sexual Assault services at Royal Prince Alfred and Liverpool hospital in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Strangulation is a potentially lethal act owing to the temporary obstruction of major blood vessels and compression of the airways leading to asphyxia (Queensland Health, 2017). Its true prevalence in our community is likely underestimated, however, it is regarded as a common and serious form of domestic violence. The recognition of non-lethal strangulation is challenging as there may be minimal features of external injury. Recognising the subtleties of presentation remains imperative as it is a strong predictor for future severe domestic violence and subsequent homicide. Dr Rosemary Isaacs is the Medical Director of Sexual Assault services, with a breadth of experience in domestic violence through her work as a forensic physician and general practitioner. Today, she speaks to us regarding how to detect presentations of strangulation and the features of accurate documentation.
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