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To Report or Not to Report: Physicians' Attitudes Toward Discipline and Child Abuse

To Report or Not to Report: Physicians' Attitudes Toward Discipline and Child Abuse Abstract • Interviews were conducted with 58 physicians to ascertain what factors influenced their reporting of child abuse. When physicians were presented with sample cases of injured children, factors that influenced their decision to report suspected abuse included their attitudes toward physical discipline, seriousness of the injury, presence of other injuries, their familiarity with the family, appropriate parental concern, compatibility of the history and physical examination findings, and the child's behavior. Results indicated that inappropriate discipline was usually not equated with reportable child abuse. Physicians believed that abuse is not often reported because of its low incidence in the private practice setting, the fear of losing patients, the need for certainty, and the lack of confidence in community agencies. These beliefs may conflict with the welfare of young patients. (AJDC 1985;139:194-197) References 1. Pelton LH: Child abuse and neglect: The myth of classlessness . Child Abuse and Neglect 1978;2:608-617. 2. McDonald AE: Child abuse: Problems of reporting . Pediatr Clin North Am 1979;26: 785-791. 3. Sanders RW: Resistance to dealing with parents of battered children . Pediatrics 1972;50: 653-657. 4. Schmitt BD: Current pediatric roles in child abuse and neglect . AJDC 1979;133:691-696. 5. Silver LB: Child abuse syndrome: The 'gray areas' in establishing a diagnosis . Pediatrics 1969;44:594-600. 6. Silver LB: Child abuse laws: Are they enough? JAMA 1967;199:65-68.Crossref 7. Young M: A comparison of physician responses to child abuse, Tulsa County, Oklahoma; 1969 and 1974 . J Okla State Med Assoc 1976;69: 125-127. 8. Chang A: Child abuse and neglect: Physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and experiences . Am J Public Health 1976;66:1199-1201.Crossref 9. Rosonke JR: Community and professional perceptions of child abuse and neglect . SD J Med 1982;35:7-12. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png American Journal of Diseases of Children American Medical Association

To Report or Not to Report: Physicians' Attitudes Toward Discipline and Child Abuse

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References (12)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1985 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0002-922X
DOI
10.1001/archpedi.1985.02140040096037
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract • Interviews were conducted with 58 physicians to ascertain what factors influenced their reporting of child abuse. When physicians were presented with sample cases of injured children, factors that influenced their decision to report suspected abuse included their attitudes toward physical discipline, seriousness of the injury, presence of other injuries, their familiarity with the family, appropriate parental concern, compatibility of the history and physical examination findings, and the child's behavior. Results indicated that inappropriate discipline was usually not equated with reportable child abuse. Physicians believed that abuse is not often reported because of its low incidence in the private practice setting, the fear of losing patients, the need for certainty, and the lack of confidence in community agencies. These beliefs may conflict with the welfare of young patients. (AJDC 1985;139:194-197) References 1. Pelton LH: Child abuse and neglect: The myth of classlessness . Child Abuse and Neglect 1978;2:608-617. 2. McDonald AE: Child abuse: Problems of reporting . Pediatr Clin North Am 1979;26: 785-791. 3. Sanders RW: Resistance to dealing with parents of battered children . Pediatrics 1972;50: 653-657. 4. Schmitt BD: Current pediatric roles in child abuse and neglect . AJDC 1979;133:691-696. 5. Silver LB: Child abuse syndrome: The 'gray areas' in establishing a diagnosis . Pediatrics 1969;44:594-600. 6. Silver LB: Child abuse laws: Are they enough? JAMA 1967;199:65-68.Crossref 7. Young M: A comparison of physician responses to child abuse, Tulsa County, Oklahoma; 1969 and 1974 . J Okla State Med Assoc 1976;69: 125-127. 8. Chang A: Child abuse and neglect: Physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and experiences . Am J Public Health 1976;66:1199-1201.Crossref 9. Rosonke JR: Community and professional perceptions of child abuse and neglect . SD J Med 1982;35:7-12.

Journal

American Journal of Diseases of Children – American Medical Association

Published: Feb 1, 1985

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