TNMU Researchers Conducted a Master Class for Physicians at Professor Stefan Khmil Clinic
As part of the cooperation between I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University (TNMU) and regional healthcare institutions, a scientific and practical meeting entitled “Domestic Violence as a Socio-Legal Phenomenon: An Algorithm of Actions for Healthcare Professionals” was held on June 5, 2026, at the Professor Stefan Khmil Clinic in Ternopil. The event brought together leading TNMU scholars in the fields of forensic medicine and medical law.
The event was organized as a master class for physicians of various specialties and healthcare professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of their legal responsibilities and acquire practical skills for managing cases of domestic violence in everyday clinical practice.
The relevance of the event stems from the fact that domestic and gender-based violence remain significant medical and social challenges. Healthcare professionals are often the first specialists to come into contact with victims following incidents of abuse. Therefore, the ability to recognize signs of violence, accurately document clinical findings in medical records, and explain to victims the legally established procedures for responding to physical, psychological, or sexual abuse is of paramount importance.
In this context, Nadiia Humenna, PhD in Law and Associate Professor of the Department of Higher Education Pedagogy and Social Sciences at TNMU, delivered a presentation on the legal status of healthcare professionals under current Ukrainian legislation. Nataliia Kalyniuk, Associate Professor of the same department, PhD in Law, and practicing attorney, presented a comprehensive report on domestic violence as a socio-legal phenomenon.
Svitlana Trach-Rosolovska, PhD in Medical Sciences and Associate Professor of the Department of Pathological Anatomy with Autopsy Course and Forensic Medicine, highlighted the role of forensic medical examination in cases of domestic and gender-based violence. Professor Valentyn Franchuk, Head of the Forensic Medicine Course at TNMU, provided a detailed overview of the specific requirements for documenting the results of medical examinations of victims of domestic violence.
A separate section of the program focused on clinical aspects of domestic violence, including gynecological consequences ranging from chronic pelvic pain to menstrual disorders, examination algorithms for affected patients, psychological and clinical features of a woman’s first medical consultation, and the somatic manifestations that may indicate abuse.
This component was presented by researchers from TNMU’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology No. 1, namely Professor Stefan Khmil, Doctor of Medical Sciences, and Anna Khmil-Doswald, PhD and Assistant Lecturer of the department.
Healthcare professionals from the Professor Stefan Khmil Clinic also participated in the master class, including Volodymyr Voloshyn, Deputy Medical Director; Iryna Teptsova, Medical Director; and Pavlo Mykytiuk, Head of the Treatment and Preventive Care Department and physician-therapist.
Participants thoroughly examined issues related to the referral pathway for patients who have experienced domestic violence, interdisciplinary coordination and administrative support, and the creation of a safe healthcare environment while adhering to confidentiality protocols and ethical communication standards when working with survivors.
The master class concluded with an assessment of participants’ acquired knowledge, competencies, and practical skills through testing, followed by an interactive discussion and the awarding of certificates. The event was officially registered with the Testing Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, carried a workload of 10 academic hours, and provided participants with continuing professional development (CPD) credits.
The master class served as an excellent example of productive collaboration between a clinical institution and university departments, successfully combining academic expertise with practical clinical experience.
This event once again demonstrated that the close partnership between the Professor Stefan Khmil Clinic and I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University extends beyond issues of reproductive health to encompass socially sensitive topics that require physicians to possess both clinical and legal competencies. Participants gained practical tools that will enable them to respond more confidently in complex clinical situations, promptly identify and document signs of abuse, and ensure the safety and confidentiality of affected individuals.