[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Bhandaridn1.jpg” caption=”Dr. Mohit Bhandari is working to educate orthopedic surgeons on the signs of intimate partner violence. “]Studies show Canadian orthopedic surgeons believe intimate partner violence is rare, yet an estimated 653,000 Canadian women are involved in abusive relationships annually – suffering fractured bones, cuts and bruises.

This perception is expected to dramatically change because of initiatives led by Dr. Mohit Bhandari, associate professor of orthopedic surgery in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University and Canada Research Chair in Musculoskeletal Trauma and Surgical Outcomes.

Bhandari is expanding his research to include intimate partner violence. Currently, he chairs a committee of orthopedic surgeons and social work experts which has been investigating how orthopedic surgeons can better help abused women.

On behalf of the Canadian Orthopedic Association, the committee developed the association's first formal position on the orthopedic surgeon's role in the care of abused women, which was released at the association's annual meeting in Whistler, British Columbia. There, orthopedic surgeon Brett Dunlop, associate clinical professor of surgery at McMaster, shared his experiences in missing important clues which indicated a woman's injuries were the direct result of domestic violence.

“We have made the first critical step in changing the paradigm of practice among orthopedic surgeons across Canada,” said Bhandari. “Our early research suggests that 30 per cent of women presenting to orthopedic clinics with injuries “screen” positive for abusive relationships. Surgeons, however, have never been aware that this was an issue and have done little, if anything, to uncover such abuse.”

Building awareness of domestic violence and educating orthopedic surgeons will be the organization's focus for the coming year. As a result, it is expected that in the future every woman who sees an orthopedic surgeon for injuries will be assured she is in a safe environment and won't be ridiculed if she discloses abuse. She will also be told psychological and social help is there if she needs it -either through the orthopedic surgeon or the hospital.

Bhandari said orthopedic surgeons have always felt victims of domestic violence are best cared for in hospital emergency departments. But, 80 per cent of women do not disclose what has happened to emergency room physicians and leave hospitals without receiving needed help.

Because orthopedic surgeons care for patients over a longer period of time, they have an opportunity to build a rapport with those who may eventually disclose what has happened to them, Bhandari said.