Keywords: Vicarious trauma; Domestic violence; Self-care; General practice; Burnout.

Introduction:

Primary healthcare practitioners (PHCPs) are fundamental to the identification and management of domestic violence and abuse (DVA). However, repetitive exposure to patient trauma imposes a significant "emotional load," manifesting as vicarious traumatisation, secondary traumatic stress, and professional burnout. Research indicates a high lifetime prevalence of DVA victimisation among healthcare professionals themselves—averaging 31.3% globally—which significantly increases vulnerability to re-traumatisation and compassion fatigue. Despite these identified risks, systemic barriers, including medical cultures of self-sacrifice and the "wounded healer" archetype, frequently impede effective help-seeking and self-regulation. This workshop addresses the urgent need to transition from a "fixer" mindset to a trauma-informed self-care approach for the clinician.

Aim(s):

This workshop aims to:
1. Enhance participants' awareness of the psychological risks—specifically vicarious trauma and burnout—associated with managing DVA in general practice.
2. Introduce and apply the evidence-based ABC (Awareness, Balance, Connection) self-care framework.
3. Facilitate international comparative dialogue regarding systemic support mechanisms and cultural stigmas surrounding clinician mental health.

Programme:

• 00–05 min: Welcome and Safety Contract. Establishing procedural boundaries and the "no-vignette" rule to ensure a safe environment and prevent unnecessary vicarious exposure.
• 05–20 min: The Clinician’s Burden. A scientific presentation on the epidemiology of DVA among healthcare staff and the conceptual distinctions between burnout and vicarious trauma.
• 20–35 min: Global Perspectives Group Work. Facilitated breakout sessions exploring cross-border variations in clinical supervision, institutional support, and the stigma of vulnerability.
• 35–55 min: The ABC Framework for Self-Care. Instructional session on applying Awareness (recognising alarm signals), Balance (setting professional boundaries and workload distribution), and Connection (utilising peer support and debriefing).
• 55–75 min: Strategies for Resilience and Closing. Introduction to the concept of "holding" as a success metric—creating a safe space without the expectation of immediate resolution—followed by the drafting of Personal Management Plans.