To mark 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, NHS Practitioner Health clinicians Dr Kath O'Hara and Dr Hannah Minor are joined by Dr Seema Haider and Dr Sandi Dheensa to discuss health and care professionals affected by domestic abuse.

In this episode, our hosts discuss NHS Practitioner Health's involvement in the PHRIDA Study led by Dr Sandi Dheensa, Dr Seema Haider's lived experience of domestic abuse, and the types of domestic abuse that affects NHS Practitioner Health patients.


If you are experiencing domestic abuse, there is support available. Access Mind's 'Guide to support options for abuse' here.

Experiencing domestic abuse can affect your mental health. If you are unable to access confidential treatment from local services, NHS Practitioner Health is here to support you. Register here.


Dr Seema Haider is NHS GP, Coach, and writer. Read her BMJ article 'Courage is Contagious: we need to talk about the domestic abuse experienced by female doctors in the NHS' here.

Dr Sandi Dheensa is a Research Fellow at Bristol Medical School. She has led and assisted with a variety of research projects around the topic of domestic abuse. Read more here.

Dr Hannah Minor is a GP Lead Clinician and Safeguarding Lead at NHS Practitioner Health. She is also an Occupational Health Physician, GP mentor, coach, and GP appraiser.

Dr Kath O'Hara is the Clinician Lead for London and South and Safeguarding Lead at NHS Practitioner Health.


Research Mentioned in the Episode:
Dheensa, Sandi, et al., 'Healthcare Professionals' Own Experiences of Domestic Violence and Abuse: A Meta-Analysis of Prevalence and Systematic Review of Risk Markers and Consequences', 2022.

Dheensa, Sandi, Janine Doughty, Alison Gregory, 'Healthcare professionals as domestic abuse survivors: workplace impact and support seeking', 2024.

Donovan, Emily, et al., 'Domestic abuse among female doctors: thematic analysis of qualitative interviews in the UK', 2021.

Donovan, Emily, 'Domestic abuse among female doctors', BJGP Interviews, The British Journal of General Practice, 2021.

Feder, Gene, et al., 'Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) of women experiencing domestic violence with a primary care training and support programme: a cluster ra

NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today.

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