Child Abuse
Conditions
Keywords
Child maltreatment, Physician education, Prevention
Brief summary
This study aims to enhance pediatric primary care to make it more responsive to psychosocial needs facing many families. We hypothesized that by identifying and addressing certain problems, such as depressed mothers, parental drug use, and domestic violence, we would help decrease child abuse and neglect.
Detailed description
This study aims to enhance pediatric primary care to make it more responsive to psychosocial needs facing many families. We hypothesized that by identifying and addressing certain problems, such as depressed mothers, parental drug use, and domestic violence, we would help decrease child abuse and neglect. The first step was to train pediatric residents on the importance of addressing the targeted problems. Then, we developed a brief screening tool to use when children under six years came in for the regular checkups. Parents would complete this while waiting for their doctor. Finally, the doctor and/or social worker would try address any problems the parent identified.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALEnhanced pediatric primary care
Residents received special training to address targeted psychosocial problems. Parents bringing in children (0 - 5 years) completed a screening questionnaire and gave this to their doctor. The resident briefly assessed the identified problems and helped address them. A social worker was present to assist.
BEHAVIORALStandard pediatric primary care
Residents did not receive special training on the targeted psychosocial problems. They did not use the parent screening questionnaire, and they did not have a dedicated social worker.
Sponsors
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Pediatric residents were trained to screen for and help address prevalent psychosocial problems, such as parental depression and substance abuse, that are risk factors for child maltreatment (CM). The SEEK model included a project social worker and use of community resources.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
1 Months to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Child 0 - 5 years * Family English speaking * Parent agrees to participate
Exclusion criteria
* Child in foster care * Another child in the family already enrolled
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reduced child abuse and neglect | 2002 - 2005 | Reports to Child Protective Services |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Improved resident attitudes and behavior regarding psychosocial problems. | 2002 - 2005 | Self-reported thinking and behavior regarding addressing targeted problems |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed