Curriculum
Overview
As trusted primary care providers, general practitioners have a unique opportunity to identify and manage patients facing various forms of abuse, violence and neglect, which may have escalated during the Covid pandemic and affect children, adults (often women) and the elderly. The Foundation Certificate of Domestic Abuse and Violence covers the role of the GP in preventing, intervening, supporting and following up victims of suspected abuse, in addition to helping vulnerable patients access support services and continuing care.
The knowledge gained in the online certificate course will enable you to assess and manage neglect, physical and sexual abuse in children and women in primary care, and equip you with an understanding of elder abuse issues, injury types and the effects of ageing on healing – including an overview of mandatory reporting and onward referral.
Entry Requirements and Course Requisites
The Foundation Certificate of Domestic Abuse & Violence is tailored for medical practitioners who wish to improve patient outcomes by identifying and supporting victims of neglect, abuse and violence in primary care.
This course is for physicians and degree-qualified health professionals. There are no prerequisites. Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.
Participants who have already successfully completed the module on Domestic Violence and Women's Health as part of the HealthCert Professional Certificate of Women's Health may request a one-module reduction in fees for this course. The module examination questions will still need to be completed to ensure knowledge remains current.
Course Contents
- Child physical abuse and neglect
- Child sexual abuse
- Domestic violence and women's health
- Elder abuse
Course Participants Will:
- Have the opportunity to replay video lectures from medical experts.
- Participate in discussion of patient cases, evaluate and make decisions.
- Receive access to research/readings in the field.
- Participate in a webinar prior to the examinations and ask questions of an expert in abuse and violence.
- Receive ongoing support post-course through webinars and case review.
- Receive unlimited and ongoing access to free alumni learning resources, video lectures, and discussion forums, as well as invite-only events and special offers after completion of the course.
Course Outline
Module 1: Child Physical Abuse and Neglect
This module opens with the definition, prevalence and legislation of child maltreatment. The process of mandatory reporting is provided. The module includes clinical images of various trauma injuries include bruises, abrasions, burns and bites that relate to physical abuse. The module outlines the clinical process when physical abuse or neglect is displayed. Presenting features including risk factors of both guardians and the child are discussed. Factors that raise suspicion of abuse are outlined. Cutaneous injuries including bruising and burns are described and supported by clinical images. Differential diagnoses are considered including dermatological conditions. The consequences of abuse are considered. The module focuses on the role of the GP including presenting features, risks and the process of managing these clinical presentations including the involvement of paediatric forensic and support services.
Module 2: Child Sexual Abuse
This module commences with outlining sexual offences against children – this may depend on jurisdictions. Definitions, prevalence and legislation details are included. The male and female ano-genital anatomy is described. The process of forensic examinations for sexual assault are outlined, featuring a clinical case. The module focusses on the role of the GP and how a child may present. This includes features and signs to consider regarding the guardian’s characteristics and the child’s presenting profile. The process of managing these clinical presentations including aftercare are outlined. STIs, mental health and associated medical conditions are considered. The involvement of paediatric forensic and support services complete this module.
Module 3: Domestic Abuse
This module reviews the definition and support mechanisms when patients present who are in a domestic abuse relationship. Statistics related to its prevalence and impact both worldwide and in Australia are listed. It discusses the role of general practitioners in responding, supporting and treating women who disclose experiences of domestic violence in a supportive, non-judgemental manner. The module covers signs and symptoms for identification of domestic violence including psychological and behavioural symptoms. Screening information is a key tool in addition to understanding reasons why a woman does not find it easy to leave an abusive relationship. Techniques to provide a safe environment and how to respond to disclosures including follow up care and responsibilities are addressed. Finally, this module gives advice about the most effective response to patient disclosure both immediately and as part of a long-term plan for follow up and continuing care, including information about available resources and support services.
Module 4: Elder Abuse
This module opens with the definition and estimated prevalence of elder abuse. The ageing and healing processes of the skin and bones is detailed including images. The module outlines the physical signs of elder abuse and the possible causal factors for these injuries. Bruising injuries are discussed including differential diagnoses – for example, bleeding disorders and medications. Suspicious bruising, abrasions, lacerations and incisions are outlined and supported with clinical images. Bites, burns and fractures are also considered. The module then moves to self-harm, defensive and other injuries including sexual assault injuries. How to assess and avoid errors are discussed. The module discusses the GP role and includes why it’s easy to fail to diagnose this challenging area. Risk factors, signs and symptoms covering general, physical, sexual, emotional, economic and neglect are incorporated. Support services information complete this module.
Course Delivery
The Foundation Certificate of Domestic Abuse & Violence is delivered online. Participants can enjoy the flexibility to study at their own pace, in their own time, within their home or office, and on their favourite mobile device. The modules are set up in such a way that participants are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay the video lectures at their convenience.
Note this e-course is not hosted on Nexlec and users can click the "Select" button to be directed to the course page.
Providers Terms
Condition of Sale
- Enrolments in HealthCert Education courses are sold subject to these and any other additional conditions of admission as provided in the course information detailed on our website/s.
- Should you be unable to participate in the course, please inform us at [email protected].
- The following conditions will apply to any changes to enrolments and clinical attachments that have been paid and confirmed.
Course Transfer
Face to Face Courses
- Course transfers for Face to Face practical workshops are available, subject to requests being received, in writing, a minimum of 10 business days prior to workshop commencement. Transfer requests received after 10 business days prior to workshop commencement will incur an Administration Fee of $250.
- Transfers will be subject to availability in the future workshops. If the future workshop has a cost differential, that price will apply, and any additional charges will be payable at the time of the transfer request.
- One workshop transfer, per course is allowed. Further transfers will be considered upon application and may be charged at 25% of a full new workshop booking rate.
Online Courses
- Transfers for Online courses are available subject to requests being received, in writing, within 7 days of enrolment. Transfer requests received after the 7 days post enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $200. One course transfer request, per course is allowed.
- If the future course being transferred to, has a cost differential, that price will apply, and any additional charges will be payable at the time of the course transfer request.
Online Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellation and a full refund of the course fees will be provided if a request is received, in writing, a maximum of 7 days after course enrolment. Refund requests received later than 7 days after course enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $250. Upon cancellation and full refund of the course enrolment, you will not receive a certificate or accreditation points.
Bundle Courses
Courses purchased as part of a bundle attract a discount. This discount is apportioned to the final course in the bundle in the cases of cancellations and refunds. Therefore, cancellation and refund requests of a course that have been purchased as part of a bundle are refunded based on the first and/or second course being charged at the full price rate. Any courses remaining in the bundle can be refunded provided the request is received, in writing, a maximum of 7 days after course enrolment. Refund requests received later than 7 days after course enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $250.
Differed Payment Terms
Courses purchased as part of a bundle with a deferred payment will be eligible for release of certificate in stages based on the payment schedule. For the release of the final certificate the bundle must be paid in full.
Certificate and CPD points can be released as follows:
- Course 1 - Upon 33% payment of total deferred payments received and course completed, certificate to be released and CPD points uploaded
- Course 2 - Upon 66% payment of total deferred payments received and course completed, certificate to be released and CPD points uploaded
- Course 3 - Upon 100% payment of total deferred payments received and course completed, certificate to be released and CPD points uploaded
Clinical Attachments
- The clinical attachment program is aimed at qualified general practitioners who have completed the relevant HealthCert courses (or equivalent). Places are subject to availability and clinic schedules.
- Cancellation and a full refund of the fees will be provided if a request is received, in writing, a minimum of 10 business days prior to commencement. Refund requests received after 10 business days prior to commencement will incur an Administration Fee of $250. Cancellation requests post commencement will not result in a refund.
- If the Workshops or Clinical Attachments are cancelled for reasons outside the reasonable control of HealthCert Education Pte Ltd, the booking fee will not be refunded however an alternate place may be arranged with a future Workshop at the sole discretion of HealthCert Education Pte Ltd.
Other Conditions
HealthCert Education Pte Ltd reserves the right to:
- deny entry; and
- to vary the Workshop presenters, format, booking fee, venue and seating arrangements at the venue.
- Any variation to the advertised venue will be notified by HealthCert Education Pte Ltd as soon as reasonably practical after the change.
- Late arrivals may result in non-admittance until a suitable break in the Workshop.
- Cameras, audio and video recorders may not be used within the venue Workshop presentations may not be photographed or recorded in any format. Breach of this requirement may lead to confiscation of equipment and recording medium. Mobile communication devices must be switched off during the Workshops.
- Any information provided at the Workshops is not to be regarded as a substitute to any professional medical advice.
- Printed certificates are delivered in Australia and New Zealand. If you reside internationally, you will receive an electronic copy of your certificate.
Tickets:
Course FeeClosed| Contact Hours: | 4.0 hrs |
| Format: | Lecture |
| Duration: | 4 Modules |
| Lecture Videos | |
| Compatability: | All Devices |
| Language: | English |
| Subtitles: | None |
| Provider: | HealthCert |
| Contact: |
Speaker(s):
 | A/Prof John GallUniversity of Melbourne |
Associate Professor John Gall is an Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne and the director and principal of a private health clinic offering general medicine and a full range of occupational and forensic medical services. He is a Senior Consultant to the Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service, Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne.
 | Independent reviewer: Dr. Ramya RamanMBBS, BSSc, DCH Co-Deputy chair for RACGP WA |
 | Dr. Sharon SykesMBBS, Bachelor of Applied Science (Med Lab Sci) and a Fellowship of the RACGP |
Dr Sharon Sykes works in private general practice in Port Macquarie, Australia where she is also a supervisor of GP registrars and of medical students. Dr Sykes served 18 years in the Royal Australian Air Force before becoming a general practitioner. She has a special interest in medical education and has previously worked as a medical educator for North Coast GP Training.
She holds a MBBS, Bachelor of Applied Science (Med Lab Sci) and a Fellowship of the RACGP.
