Abstract Body

Background: Violence has accompanied the evolution of humanity. It is defined as the “Intentional use of physical force or power, real or in the form of a threat, against oneself, against another person or against a group or a community, which results, or has the possibility of resulting, in injury, death, psychological damage, commitment to development or deprivation”.

Case description: Female, 66 years old, married and domestic. Inserted in a nuclear and uncontrolled family (phase VIII of the Duvall cycle), with APGAR Familiar of Smilkstein of 0 points. With a history of dyslipidemia, epilepsy, spine syndrome with irradiation of pain, malignant breast cancer, depression (with 2 previous hospitalizations for intentional drug intoxication).

She resorted to a scheduled consultation of primary care, with worsening depression and suicidal ideation by a conflicting marital relationship associated with domestic violence in verbal and physical form. On physical examination, no physical signs of aggression were observed. The patient refuses to report her husband and refuses support from Portuguese Association for Victim Support. Thus, it’s decided to refer the patient to the Emergency Department, where she was observed by Psychiatry. At the moment, the patient is under surveillance with Family doctor (FD), Psychiatry and Psychology.

Discussion: In Portugal, domestic violence is a public crime. Its reporting is mandatory for public officials. The case reveals the challenge to the FD in highlighting the breadth of care, proximity to the patient and provision of care centered on the individual and the family.