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An Interprofessional Approach to Family-Centered Child Protective Services Referral: A Case Report
Linda Nancy Roney1, Katherine R Knapik, Tanika Eaves
1Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut.
Insights
Trauma nurses face challenges communicating with families involved in child abuse evaluations. Utilizing Peplau
Area of Science:
- Nursing communication strategies
- Interpersonal relations in healthcare
Background:
- Trauma teams often interact with alleged perpetrators of abuse.
- Effective communication is crucial yet challenging in these situations.
Observation:
- A case involving a 9-week-old infant with hyponatremia and suspected child physical abuse.
- Communication barriers arose between the patient's mother and the trauma nurse.
- The case highlighted the need for specific communication approaches.
Findings:
- Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations provides a framework for therapeutic communication.
- The A-TEAM mnemonic (Aware, Transparent, Empathetic, Nonjudgmental, Interprofessional team) offers a practical strategy.
- This approach supports engagement with families undergoing child protective services evaluations.
Implications:
- Healthcare professionals can improve interactions with families in sensitive situations.
- Implementing the A-TEAM strategy can enhance therapeutic communication.
- This framework supports trauma nurses and interprofessional teams in child protective services cases.
Background:
Members of the trauma team often find themselves in a uniquely challenging position wherein their role on the care team may necessitate developing a working relationship with alleged or confirmed perpetrators of abuse.
Case Presentation:
A 9-week-old admitted to the hospital with hyponatremia and evaluation for suspected child physical abuse. Specific details of the case were a barrier to communication and interactions between the patient's mother and the trauma nurse. This report will provide a discussion of takeaway lessons to support communication with this patient population.
Conclusion:
Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations is utilized as a framework for engaging in therapeutic communication with a family that is part of a child protective services evaluation. The mnemonic, A-TEAM (Aware, Transparent, Empathetic, A nonjudgmental approach, and Managed by an interprofessional team), is introduced as a strategy for trauma nurses and other health care team members to engage in therapeutic communication with a family that is part of a child protective services evaluation during their admission.
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