Case-Based Workshop for Teaching Child Abuse Prevention to Resident Physicians

Child abuse is a ubiquitous problem with personal, interpersonal, and social consequences. Risk factors are well established, and preventive strategies have been effective in decreasing abusive parenting behaviors and child maltreatment incident reports. Curriculum tools are needed to incorporate these strategies into training programs so physicians are adequately trained to identify and prevent child maltreatment at the earliest opportunity.

A literature review established the core content for the curriculum. Resident learning needs were assessed with an online survey sent to graduating residents and teaching faculty. Curriculum objectives were composed to target core content and to address learning needs. Adult learning theories were applied to design interactive, case-based workshops to meet the curriculum objectives. A qualitative assessment tool was distributed to participating residents pre- and postcurriculum. Evaluators were blinded to pre/post status. Follow-up surveys distributed 3 months after the curriculum evaluated for retention of content and application to clinical practice.

After workshop participation, residents showed a greater tendency to associate somatic and behavioral complaints with potential toxic stress or abuse and demonstrated understanding of ongoing needs and risks in affected families. On follow-up surveys, most residents self-reported progress toward incorporating discussion of risk factors, stress, and abuse into routine well-child visits.

Resident physicians who attended the child abuse prevention workshop acquired knowledge and skills relevant to secondary and tertiary child abuse prevention and indicated progress toward primary prevention goals during the subsequent 3 months.