NCJ Number
48956
Date Published
1975
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER DISCUSSES CHILD ABUSE FROM THE PEDIATRICIAN'S VIEW WHILE EMPLOYING IDEAS ON THE RELATIONS BETWEEN PEDIATRICIANS AND MEDICAL OR SOCIAL WORKERS, AND PEDIATRICIANS AND POLICE.
Abstract
STATISTICS ARE OFFERED CONCERNING DEATH AND BRAIN DAMAGE IN CHILDREN DIAGNOSED AS BATTERED CHILDREN. THE GUIDE TO THE DIAGNOSIS OF INJURIES TO CHILDREN (NEWCASTLE 1974) IS REPRINTED TO SHOW HOW DOCTORS IN NEWCASTLE, GREAT BRITAIN, HANDLE FAMILIES IN WHICH CASES OF NONACCIDENTAL INJURY OCCUR. FOR A COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS, THE GUIDE RECOMMENDS THAT STUDIES BE MADE OF: (1) THE PHYSICAL SIGNS IN THE CHILD; (2) THE FULL HISTORY OF THE INJURY; (3) THE PERSONALITY OF THE PARENTS; AND (4) THE SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FAMILY. THE PAPER SUGGESTS THE USE OF A CENTRAL REGISTER FOR ALL PROVEN OR SUSPECTED CASES OF ABUSED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES, OR POSSIBLY OF ALL YOUNG CHILDREN WITH INJURIES. LAWYERS ARE ANXIOUS ABOUT THE IMPLIED ISSUE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THIS AREA, BUT DOCTORS AGREE ON THE NEED FOR EITHER LOCAL OR REGIONAL REGISTERS. SUCH REGISTERS ARE ALREADY IN EXPERIMENTAL OPERATION IN SOME CITIES AND HAVE PROVEN USEFUL IN SPEEDING UP DIAGNOSES OR RAISING THE INDEX OF SUSPICION IN BUSY CASUALTY DEPARTMENTS. THE PEDIATRICIAN, HOWEVER, FACES ETHICAL AND LEGAL DILEMMAS REGARDING THE USE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION FROM PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS OF THE DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATION AS EVIDENCE FOR USE IN COURT. COURT ORDERS FOR CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION OF THE ABUSED CHILD PRESENT OTHER LEGAL DILEMMAS. THE PAPER ENCOURAGES INTERACTION BETWEEN DOCTORS AND POLICE IN INVESTIGATIONS OF THESE CASES AND MENTIONS THE DESIRABILITY OF RECIPROCITY BETWEEN THE TWO PROFESSIONS. MEDICAL AND POLICE INTERRACTION IS SEEN AS A DELICATE BALANCE THAT MUST BE MAINTAINED TO PROMOTE TRUST IN THE AFFECTED FAMILIES AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TEAM EFFORT. (RBS)