Partner Violence Case-Based Discussion

Authors: Steven Steury, M.D, Joseph B. Layde, M.D., J.D., Steven Lawrence, M.D.
Medical College of Wisconsin

I. Problem-based Learning Case of Amanda Zebrowski

II. Synopsis:
A. Audience: M-I students in the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) section of the Foundations of Human Behavior course
B. Length of session: One hour in each of two consecutive weekly problem-based learning sessions.

III. Objectives:
A. At the conclusion of this session, the learner will be able to:
1. Describe the presentation of victims of domestic violence in the emergency room setting.
2. Describe the profile of a batterer.
3. Explain physicians' responsibility to report:
a) suspicious wounds
b) child abuse
4. Describe community services available to victims of domestic violence.
5. Describe patterns of domestic abuse in families.

IV. Key Definitions and Concepts:
A. Physicians must be alert to signs of domestic violence in the emergency room setting.
B. Physicians have a responsibility to report suspicious wounds.
C. Domestic violence victims have a variety of community services available to them, including shelters.
D. Domestic abuse can be a multigenerational problem in families.

V. Relationship to M-I Foundations of Human Behavior course:
A. Knowledge base: Adults and children are at risk of serious violence in abusive families.
B. Clinical skills: Not applicable (M-I PBL module)
C. Physician's professional role: Students learn how to encourage victims of domestic violence to discuss their predicaments. Students learn the responsibility of physicians to report suspicious wounds to legal authorities.

VI. Linkages to other MCW curriculum
A. Horizontal links to other courses in current year: Linkage to didactic material about stages of human development presented in the lecture section of the M-I Foundations of Human Behavior course.
B. Vertical links: M-II Psychopathology, M-II Human Sexuality, M-III Psychiatry, M-IV Emergency Medicine

VII. References
A. For faculty:
Dietrich D, Berkowitz L, et al., "Some Factors Influencing Abusers' Justification of their Child Abuse", Child Abuse and Neglect 14:337-345, 1990.

Kelley ML and Grace N: "Acceptability of Positive and Punitive Discipline Methods: Comparisons Among Abusive, Potentially Abusive and Nonabusive Parents", Child Abuse and Neglect 14:219-226, 1990/

Gage RB, "Consequences of Children's Exposure to Spouse Abuse", Pediatric Nursing 16(3):258-260, May/June 1990/

Kaplan and Sadock: Synopsis of Psychiatry, Chapter 4.4 "Aggression and Accidents", pgs. 154-161, Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins, 1998.

Kaplan and Sadock: Synopsis of Psychiatry, Chapter 21 "Human Sexuality", Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins, 1998.

Facilitating the Problem Based Learning Small Group Handout

"Facilitating Small Group Learning in PBL" excerpts from The Facilitator's Guide to the Small Group Process by John Curry, Ph.D., Ohio State University

B. For students:
Dietrich D, Berkowitz L, et al., "Some Factors Influencing Abusers' Justification of their Child Abuse", Child Abuse and Neglect 14:337-345, 1990.

Kelley ML and Grace N: "Acceptability of Positive and Punitive Discipline Methods: Comparisons Among Abusive, Potentially Abusive and Nonabusive Parents", Child Abuse and Neglect 14:219-226, 1990/

Gage RB, "Consequences of Children's Exposure to Spouse Abuse", Pediatric Nursing 16(3):258-260, May/June 1990/

Kaplan and Sadock: Synopsis of Psychiatry, Chapter 4.4 "Aggression and Accidents", pgs. 154-161, Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins, 1998.

Kaplan and Sadock: Synopsis of Psychiatry, Chapter 21 "Human Sexuality", Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins, 1998.

C. For patient education:
Dietrich D, Berkowitz L, et al., "Some Factors Influencing Abusers' Justification of their Child Abuse", Child Abuse and Neglect 14:337-345, 1990.

Kelley ML and Grace N: "Acceptability of Positive and Punitive Discipline Methods: Comparisons Among Abusive, Potentially Abusive and Nonabusive Parents", Child Abuse and Neglect 14:219-226, 1990/

Gage RB, "Consequences of Children's Exposure to Spouse Abuse", Pediatric Nursing 16(3):258-260, May/June 1990.

"Every Home, A Safe Home", National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Soroptimist International of the Americas, 1999-2000, National Directory of Domestic Violence Programs: Guide to Community Shelter, Safe Homes, and Service Programs, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 1999.

VIII. Evaluation Strategies
A. Performance based assessment (review of students' PBL issue reports and students self-assessment of skill).

IX. Appendix
A. PBL Learning Case of Amanda Zebrowski

Back to Table of Contents