Management

countries and Panama.Whereas in Europerigorous planning andbureaucratic formalities areinevitable, in Panama theLatin American flexibility andrelaxation hold the upper hand.At first Ghari had a hard time adjustingfrom the highly efficient and effectiveapproach to a less speedy one. Looking back, thefirst three months of inner conflict have actually been functional toher. This way she was given the chance to learn Spanish and focus onsocialising. After making new friends, discovering the country andexploring the Panamanian cuisine, Ghari was fully adapted to theenvironment, the people and the language. By then, her researchstarted making progress as well.IPV has been defined as physical, sexual and / or psychological harmwithin an intimate relationship. Women are most commonly victim ofthis type of violence. Worldwide, Panama occupies the 10th place withregard to violence against women. These women need medical careeither for themselves or for their children, in both of which casesmedical doctors (MDs) are the first to be informed about theirsuffering. Consequently, Ghari’s research was aimed at describing IPVscreening and screening-response among a sample of MDs in theemergency department. Results showed that only half of the MDsscreen for IPV.The main reasons for this were lack of resources and time to do so.Furthermore, it was found that there is great discrepancy betweenreceived training and expressed need for training on the matter of IPV.Finally, medical doctors were only little aware of policies and protocols.The conclusion of Ghari’s research was that more development withregard to the prevention of IPV is needed in Panama.For Mahsa Ghari, it has been a fabulous experience studying abroad.“Being outside my comfort zone and facing huge challenges on a dailybasis has been infinitely valuable to me. I believe that every studentshould at least spend six months of their college years abroad, tobecome resilient to the unpredictability of life after graduation.”31