How can emergency departments better identify and support people experiencing domestic violence? New research led by a former medical student at UCRH is helping answer that question.
Western Sydney University medical graduate Azhaan Haq led the study while completing his medical degree, working alongside UCRH researcher Dr Natalie Edmiston and fellow researchers.
Published in Emergency Medicine Australasia, the study, A mixed methods evaluation of a model of care for domestic violence within the emergency department, examined how patients experiencing domestic violence were identified and supported.
The researchers reviewed patient records from 2024 and interviewed 19 clinicians and support workers involved in delivering care.
They found that patients experiencing domestic violence were identified in several ways, including routine screening, direct disclosure, referrals from community organisations and clinicians recognising warning signs.
The emergency department’s short stay unit also played an important role, providing opportunities for patients to receive specialised support alongside medical treatment.
The findings highlight how a coordinated approach can help emergency departments recognise domestic violence and provide care that considers patients’ safety, emotional wellbeing and individual circumstances.
For Azhaan, the publication marks another significant research achievement following his rural medical placement in Lismore in 2023.
During that placement, he contributed to a separate UCRH research project examining the experiences of medical and forensic examiners working in NSW sexual assault services. He subsequently undertook the domestic violence study under Dr Edmiston’s supervision.
His work demonstrates how medical students can make meaningful contributions to research addressing complex healthcare challenges.
