The COVID-19 pandemic increased the rate of domestic violence due to increased stress levels, emotional and financial strain. Telehealth services are essential in providing services for people unable to come out and seek healthcare. This study will use a case study to provide telehealth services to a victim of suspected domestic violence who has red marks on her chest, indicating a fist by her partner.
After noticing the patient has a red mark on the chest, the clinician’s first step is to ask her if there is another person in the house. If there is, the clinician should clearly state that, according to HIPAA laws, telehealth should be conducted without anyone else in the house (Simon, 2021). Once the other person has left the room, the provider should assure the patient that they are safe and that all the information they give is confidential and will not be disclosed to any other person.
The treatment plan for this patient would include social support from the telehealth clinical team. The patient requires a healthcare specialist to conduct regular visits to talk to them about violence and examine if there are more injuries to the patient (Simon, 2021). In addition, the violent partner may require counseling, and legal action can be taken if they do not change. The other treatment the patient requires is painkillers to help the patient ease pain so they can have a good sleep. Since the patient states that they cannot sleep, it shows that they must be experiencing physical and mental pain, which is why they are unable to sleep.
The healthcare provider will have provided a treatment plan that addresses the two issues. The clinician should visit the patient after two weeks to see their progress, carry out a follow-up session, and administer more medication to the patient. With the effective use of telehealth, treatment of domestic violence will reach the most remote areas where most people cannot report the cases or visit a healthcare center.
Reference
Simon, M. A. (2021). Responding to intimate partner violence during telehealth clinical encounters. JAMA, 325(22), 2307. Web.