COD 8: Recognizing and managing suspected child maltreatment and/or neglect
Key Features
- This EPA focuses on recognizing and managing patients who have experienced physical, emotional, and/or sexual maltreatment or neglect, or in whom it is suspected.
- It also includes recognizing when a patient is at risk, when there may be a detrimental imbalance between care needs and care provided, or when police and/or social services need to be engaged.
- This EPA does not include preparing legal reports or testifying in court about alleged child abuse and/or neglect.
Assessment Plan
Direct observation by supervisor
Use form 1. Form collects information on:
- Age: neonate; infant; preschool; school age; adolescent
- Type of maltreatment: physical; emotional; sexual; neglect; Munchausen by proxy
Collect at least 3 observations of achievement.
- At least 1 physical maltreatment (including suspected)
- At least 1 sexual maltreatment (including suspected)
- At least 1 neglect (including suspected)
CanMEDS milestones
- ME 2.2 Recognize and respond to factors that raise the suspicion of child maltreatment and/or neglect
- ME 2.2 Recognize sentinel clinical findings suggesting child maltreatment and/or neglect, including injuries, behavioural and emotional changes and other clinical signs
- ME 1.6 Work within professional boundaries, delegating forensic interviewing to other professionals as indicated
- ME 2.2 Assess a child for signs and symptoms of child maltreatment and/or neglect
- ME 3.4 Collect specimens for assessment of sexually transmitted infections and/or child maltreatment
- COM 5.1 Document evidence of child maltreatment, including the use of diagrams and photographs as appropriate
- ME 2.2 Select and/or interpret appropriate investigations
- ME 2.4 Develop and implement a management plan that considers all of the patient’s health problems and context
- ME 4.1 Develop a plan for ongoing management and follow-up
- ME 4.1 Determine the need to involve specialized care professionals, child protective services, or law enforcement
- COM 1.1 Communicate using a patient-centred approach that facilitates trust and autonomy and that is characterized by empathy, respect, and compassion
- HA 1.1 Facilitate timely access to services and resources in the health and/or social system(s)
- P 3.1 Adhere to requirements for mandatory reporting
- P 3.1 Apply relevant aspects of child welfare legislation
- P 1.1 Exhibit appropriate professional behaviours