Medical Student Curriculum Guide
Knowledge—Child Advocacy

Rationale

Abuse of children and adolescents is part of the spectrum of family dysfunction and results in injury and death to millions of children each year in the United States. Abuse causes physical, sexual and/or emotional trauma or may occur in the form of neglect when caregivers fail to provide basic physical, emotional or medical needs. Medical professionals are required by law in all 50 states to protect children and adolescents by identifying abuse and by reporting it to child protective services. Students must understand the varying presentations of abuse and must recognize the physical, emotional and social factors that put a child at risk for abuse. Students must know when to consider abuse in the differential diagnosis of child or adolescent health problems and must further understand the legal obligation they will eventually have as mandatory reporters of abuse.

Learning Objectives

List the physical and behavioral signs of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.
List the risk factors for domestic violence and child abuse.
Describe the specific types or patterns of injury that suggest physical abuse.
List which family, social and environmental history items are important when considering possible abuse.
Summarize the physical findings expected in an infant who has been subjected to abuse by shaking (i.e. the shaken baby syndrome).

Competencies

Know the types of questions to ask in assessment of a child for non-accidental injuries and child abuse.
Summarize the ethical responsibilities to identify and report child abuse and the obligation placed on reporters by community or state.


Copyright 2003 Medical College of Georgia All rights reserved.	School of Medicine \| Medical College of Georgia Please email comments, suggestions or questions to: Kenda Rindt, krindt@mail.mcg.edu. May 28, 2003

Medical Student Curriculum Guide Knowledge—Child Advocacy

Medical Student Curriculum Guide
Knowledge—Child Advocacy