Domestic Violence: Ethical Challenges and Considerations - A Case Report

Mojtaba  Parsa; Soudabeh  Mehdizadeh

doi:10.18502/ijme.v8i6.19207

Mojtaba Parsa Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Ethics, School of Medicine, Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Research Center for War-Affected People, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Soudabeh Mehdizadeh PhD Candidate of Medical Ethics, Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran; Instructor of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijme.v8i6.19207

Keywords: Domestic violence, Intimate partner violence, Ethical analysis, Medical ethics, Bioethics.

Abstract

Domestic violence and abuse against women, particularly intimate partner violence, is a widespread public health problem. Domestic violence is associated with a wide range of physical and mental health issues and negatively impacts the health and well-being of the affected individual. Women who experience violence need support to mitigate the negative impacts of these violent acts. In this regard, health institutions play a critical role in providing comprehensive healthcare to women affected by domestic violence. Physicians' encounters with women experiencing domestic violence, especially in countries like Iran, where there are no clear guidelines on this matter, lead to challenges and ethical issues. This study explored some of these ethical issues and challenges by presenting a case study.