Author:
Schweitzer Robert D,Buckley Lisa,Harnett Paul,Loxton Natalie J
Abstract
Objective: The goal of this investigation was to
examine the level of notification of child abuse and
neglect and the perceived deterrents to reporting by
medical practitioners, who are mandated to report
their suspicions but might choose not to do so.
Design: A random sample of medical practitioners
was surveyed. About three hundred medical
practitioners were approached through the local
Division of General Practice. 91 registered medical
practitioners in Queensland, Australia, took
part in the study.
Results: A quarter of medical practitioners admitted
failing to report suspicions, though they were
mostly cognisant of their responsibility to report
suspected cases of abuse and neglect. Only the
belief that the suspected abuse was a single
incident and unlikely to happen again predicted
non-reporting (?2 [1, N = 89] = 7.60, p<0.01). No
gender, age or parent status differences were
found between reporters and non-reporters.
Conclusions: Although the rate of non-reporting
shows improvement from previous research, it is
still at an unacceptable level. The failure to report
appears to result not from judgement about the
presence or absence of indicators of child abuse
and neglect but a threshold that moves individuals
to act on their suspicions. Professional development
should focus on some of the fallacies which
often influence medical practitioners? decisions.
Cited by
16 articles.
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