The West German Broadcasting Corporation (WDR; Westdeutscher Rundfunk) recently visited the Medical Faculty at the University of Münster to film a report on the VIPROM teaching sessions on domestic violence in medical education.
The filming was organised by the VIPROM team, including Bettina Pfleiderer (VIPROM coordinator), Helmut Ahrens, Eva Schönefeld and Jan Siebenbrock , and provided an opportunity to showcase the innovative teaching approach used in the programme.
Over the course of five hours, a WDR journalist, camerawoman and sound engineer documented two key elements of the VIPROM training:
- A theoretical seminar on domestic violence with medical students
- A practical communication training session in which medical students worked with simulated patients at Limette
As part of the visit, an interview was conducted on the importance of addressing domestic violence within medical education and preparing future doctors to recognise and respond appropriately to affected patients.
The VIPROM team would like to thank the actors who portrayed simulated patients experiencing domestic violence and the medical students who participated in the training, whose contributions made the filming possible.
The recorded material will be used in a nationwide WDR documentary on domestic violence, scheduled to be broadcast in Germany in September.
The documentary aims not only to present statistics on domestic violence but also to highlight constructive solutions, including educational initiatives that equip future doctors with the knowledge, skills and confidence to support affected patients.
Domestic violence remains an important public health issue that requires continued visibility in both society and medical education.
Photos: Behind-the-scenes impressions (Helmut Ahrens)