Abstract
Objective
To examine the current indicators used by medical healthcare professionals to identify the intent of child injury and the processes that are undertaken once potential child neglect, maltreatment or abuse is identified.
Materials and Methods
Thirty in-depth interviews were conducted at the ETD in three major hospitals in the Klang Valley, Malaysia which consists of specialists, medical officers, nurses and medical assistants.
Results
The study found that there is a significant gap identified in medical professionals’ knowledge and skills related to understanding, identifying and detecting child abuse and neglect (CAN), particularly among medical officers who are in charge of diagnosis and reports in the hospital.
Conclusion
There is a need to provide more comprehensive and specific training for medical health professionals in the emergency department (ED) regardless of their level and status. This will enhance their understanding on identifying children at risk of abuse. The need for a proper and standardized screening tool for identification is utmost important if all children attending ED is being screened.
To examine the current indicators used by medical healthcare professionals to identify the intent of child injury and the processes that are undertaken once potential child neglect, maltreatment or abuse is identified.
Materials and Methods
Thirty in-depth interviews were conducted at the ETD in three major hospitals in the Klang Valley, Malaysia which consists of specialists, medical officers, nurses and medical assistants.
Results
The study found that there is a significant gap identified in medical professionals’ knowledge and skills related to understanding, identifying and detecting child abuse and neglect (CAN), particularly among medical officers who are in charge of diagnosis and reports in the hospital.
Conclusion
There is a need to provide more comprehensive and specific training for medical health professionals in the emergency department (ED) regardless of their level and status. This will enhance their understanding on identifying children at risk of abuse. The need for a proper and standardized screening tool for identification is utmost important if all children attending ED is being screened.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-12 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Public Health |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Child abuse and neglect
- Emergency department
- Healthcare professionals
- Non-accidental injuries
