Community context for teaching

A Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) methodology can assist Family Practice faculty in implementing clinical and teaching activities designed to address interpersonal violence against adult women. The traditional COPC steps are as follows: (1) define the practice population; (2) assess a specific health problem; (3) develop and implement a strategy to address the issue; and (4) evaluate the impact of the intervention. At Ramsey Family Medicine we've developed a conceptual tool we call “the wheel” of community medicine which depicts the five arenas where resident physicians can work to end domestic violence: in the exam room; within the clinic; as part of a network of providers; within the larger community; and, as a part of a state or national initiative. We've also developed an operational tool called “the matrix” of community medicine which outlines specific COPC activities in each of the aforementioned arenas. We've arranged the matrix to apply to clinical practice and resident education activities regarding abuse intervention and prevention at Ramsey. This approach stresses partnerships with community organizations with expertise and commitment to ending domestic violence.