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Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Patients

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Abstract

The medical community’s efforts to address intimate partner violence (IPV) have often neglected members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population. Heterosexual women are primarily targeted for IPV screening and intervention despite the similar prevalence of IPV in LGBT individuals and its detrimental health effects. Here, we highlight the burden of IPV in LGBT relationships, discuss how LGBT and heterosexual IPV differ, and outline steps clinicians can take to address IPV in their LGBT patients.

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Acknowledgements

Contributors: The authors would like to acknowledge Curt Rogers and Iain Gill for their assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kevin L. Ard MD.

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Ard, K.L., Makadon, H.J. Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Patients. J GEN INTERN MED 26, 930–933 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-011-1697-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-011-1697-6

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