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The identification and reporting of physical abuse by physicians: a review and implications for research
1West Virginia University, Morgantown.
Insights
Physicians must identify and report child physical abuse to protect children. This review examines physician-related, case-related, and setting-related factors influencing the reporting of child abuse.
Area of Science:
- Child abuse pediatrics
- Medical ethics
- Public health
Background:
- Child physical abuse identification and reporting are crucial for intervention.
- Mandated reporters, including physicians, face challenges in identifying and reporting all suspected cases.
- Gaps in identification and reporting can leave maltreated children without necessary support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on factors influencing physicians' identification and reporting of child physical abuse.
- To provide an overview of the identification and reporting process for child maltreatment.
- To identify areas for future research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies examining factors affecting physician identification and reporting of child physical abuse.
- Categorization of influencing factors into case-related, physician-related, and setting-related variables.
- Overview of the multistep process of identification and reporting.
Main Results:
- Factors influencing identification and reporting vary across different contexts.
- Case characteristics, physician-specific elements, and environmental settings all play a role.
- Understanding these factors is key to improving reporting rates.
Conclusions:
- Improving the identification and reporting of child physical abuse requires addressing multifaceted influences.
- Further research is needed to refine understanding and develop targeted interventions.
- Enhanced physician education and supportive practice environments can improve child protection outcomes.
Abstract:
Identification and reporting of possible cases of child physical abuse are critical precursors to intervention with maltreating families. Professionals from a variety of disciplines are mandated to report suspected cases of child maltreatment. Unfortunately, not all physically abused children are identified or reported. This paper reviews the literature that has examined factors that may influence the identification and reporting of physical abuse by physicians. The literature review is preceded by an overview of the multistep, multibehavior process of identification and reporting. The factors that may influence identification and reporting are discussed according to their association with the case, physician, or setting. Future directions for research in the area of identification and reporting are suggested throughout the paper.