Profession
New medical society in Minn. to address violence
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 10, 2005
To increase awareness among physicians and other health care professionals about the effects of violence and abuse, the Minnesota-based Academy on Violence and Abuse was launched last month.
American Medical Association President J. Edward Hill, MD, and Minnesota Medical Assn. member David McCollum, MD, spoke at the unveiling.
The AVA is a national, academic medical society headquartered in Chanhassen, Minn. Society organizers said their goal is to advance health, education and research on the recognition, treatment and prevention of violence and abuse.
Dr. McCollum, who is on the AVA's board of directors, said most health care workers have horror stories about treating someone who has been abused. Dr. Hill said that with greater understanding of violence, its symptoms and root causes, physicians and other health care workers can intervene and prevent harm.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/10/10/prbf1010.htm.