Perspectives and Values of Dental Medicine Students Regarding Domestic Violence

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate dental medical students’ opinions concerning domestic violence from a social and medical standpoint and from the perspective of the moral values of the physician–patient relationship. Materials and Methods: We performed an observational study with 4- and 5-year dental medical students at the UMF “Carol Davila” in Bucharest from October 2020–May 2021, using a questionnaire containing 20 items on domestic violence (DV). The questionnaire was uploaded online on the e-learning platform where the students have access. To collect the data, we used Microsoft Excel 365, and the statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi. Results: Of the 600 students enrolled, 415 answered the questionnaire, the answering rate being 69.16%. A total of 215 (53.1%) personally knew victims of DV, 4 (1.0%) considered that violence within a couple is necessary for certain situations, 401 (99.0%) considered that domestic violence is a fundamental problem in today’s society, and 170 (41.5%) felt that in domestic violence situations, the blame lies solely with the partner who resorts to physical violence. Regarding the role of the physician, 220 (56%) considered that the physician should breach confidentiality and report cases when patients state they are a victim of DV, 337 (88.2%) thought that free medical treatment should be provided for DV victims who have a dire financial situation, and 212 (56.7%) considered that victims of DV are non-compliant patients. Conclusions: Domestic violence is a phenomenon well-known to stomatology students, which creates the premise of an excellent physician–patient relationship with them, aiding in proper management of ethical issues such as a potential need to breach confidentiality or evaluate the potential conflicts between autonomy and beneficence.

Perceptions of Dental Medicine Students on Equity within Healthcare Systems in Romania: A Pilot Study

“…The medical examination of the patient must take place whenever it is possible for them. The physician must prioritize vulnerable patients each time it is necessary to do so and provide them with adequate medical care [9,31].…”

“…Factors that produce inequity within healthcare systems can be: geographic location, the privilege of certain population groups to the detriment of others, race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, education level, income, profession [8], some interpersonal contexts of a familial, social or professional nature which can place a person in a disadvantaged or inferior condition, undermining his or her autonomy and capacity to resort to the medical services they require, for example in the case of domestic violence victims [9]. The dental healthcare system on a national level in Romania is predominantly private.…”

The Involvement in Domestic Violence and the Severity of Legal, Moral and Social Consequences for the Perpetrators in the Perceptions of Students in Poland and Belarus

“…The involvement in domestic violence can occur in three forms: as a victim—a person experiencing violence, as a perpetrator—a person using violence, or as a witness. The effects of domestic violence are also multi-faceted, and are different for victims, for perpetrators and for witnesses [ 1 ]. However, each form of involvement in violence is characterised by four perspectives:…”