A-TEAM: An Interprofessional Approach to Mandated Reporting in the Hospital Setting

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Child Welfare
• Healthcare Professional Education

Background:

• Reporting child maltreatment in pediatric settings is complex.
• Inconsistent mandated reporter training can cause emotional distress and hinder effective reporting.
• Lack of interprofessional collaboration can negatively impact care for children and families.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the A-TEAM approach for managing child protective services evaluations.
• To highlight the importance of awareness, transparency, empathy, and nonjudgmental strategies.
• To emphasize the role of interprofessional teams in pediatric healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Development of the A-TEAM approach led by pediatric trauma nursing faculty.
• Integration of nursing and social work expertise.
• Focus on family-centered care principles.

Main Results:

• The A-TEAM approach promotes a structured, collaborative method for reporting suspected child maltreatment.
• It aims to improve the quality of care for vulnerable children and families.
• Enhances communication and coordination among healthcare professionals.

Conclusions:

• The A-TEAM approach offers a framework to address challenges in reporting child maltreatment.
• It supports interprofessional collaboration and maintains family-centered care.
• This strategy can be a valuable addition to pediatric healthcare professional education.