NCJ Number
35134
Date Published
1975
Length
44 pages
Annotation
THIS MANUAL IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PHYSICIANS AND NURSES WITH THE NECESSARY BACKGROUND TO UNDERSTAND THE BASIC PROCESS IN DEVELOPING THE DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONCEPT OF TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR THE ABUSED CHILD AND HIS FAMILY.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR NOTES THAT HELPING THE ABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILD AND HIS FAMILY IS FEASIBLE IN THE GREAT MAJORITY OF CASES, BUT REQUIRES THE COOPERATION OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT PROFESSIONAL FIELDS. THIS MANUAL OUTLINES ONE SUCH COOPERATIVE SYSTEM THAT MAY BE USED TO DEAL WITH CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. AN OVERVIEW OF THIS SYSTEM, CALLED THE DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT PROCESS, IS FIRST PRESENTED, USING A FLOW CHART OF THE STEPS INVOLVED. AMONG THE DIAGNOSTIC PHASES OF THIS APPROACH ARE THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS OF POSSIBLE CHILD ABUSE, THE EMERGENCY ROOM OR OFFICE PHASE, AND THE DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT PHASE, WHICH INVOLVES DIAGNOSIS BY A SPECIAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM OF SUCH PERSONNEL AS PROTECTIVE SERVICE WORKERS, HOSPITAL SOCIAL WORKERS, PHYSICIANS, A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE, A PSYCHIATRIST, LAWYER, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. SPECIFIC STEPS IN THE DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS ARE DESCRIBED. THE ACUTE TREATMENT PHASE AND LONG TERM TREATMENT PHASE ARE THEN OUTLINED. SPECIFIC TREATMENT OPTIONS AND METHODS ARE DELINEATED.