The effect of a training course in child abuse on the attitudes of general practitioners to the handling of such cases
Date
2014-03-19
Authors
Jacklin, Lorna Barbara
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Abstract
This study was done to test the hypothesis that medical practitioners lacked the
confidence to get involved in child abuse management because of lack of previous
training in the discipline.
Questionnaires were administered to a group of medical practitioners to assess their
attitude to their role in the management of child abuse, their perception of their
knowledge of the physical findings in child abuse and their ability to manage the
problem. It was found that although practitioners recognized the importance of their role
in child abuse management they lacked confidence in their knowledge of the physical
findings of child abuse and their ability to manage the problem.
The main factor found to be responsible for the reluctance of practitioners to deal with
child abuse was a lack of training at both under and postgraduate level. The practitioners
suggested that improved training at undergraduate level is the most effective means of
improving the medical management of child abuse.
A subgroup of the practitioners were exposed to a short correspondence course in the
management of child abuse. The experimental group showed a positive trend in theii
perception of their ability to manage child abuse and their knowledge of the physical
features of child abuse.
Based on these findings it is recommended that further research be done into the most
effective methods of training doctors in child abuse management.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc. (Medicine))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Medicine, 1998.