Improving child protection: a systematic review of training and procedural interventions

Abstract

Current evidence supports the use of procedural changes that improve the documentation of suspected child maltreatment and that enhance professional awareness. The lack of an evidence based approach to the implementation of child protection training may restrict the ability of all health professionals to fulfil their role in the child protection process. Formal evaluation of a variety of models for the delivery of this training is urgently needed with subsequent dissemination of results that highlight those found to be most effective.

Acting Like It Matters: A Scoping Review of Simulation in Child Welfare Training

“…A recent critical review of simulation-based medical education research (SBME) observed that research into SBME has matured over the past 40 years and, given the impact and educational utility of such research, will likely increase in the future. Consistent with reviews of evaluations of training in child welfare (Carter et al, 2006;Collins et al, 2010) stronger research designs, recognition of the complexity of evaluating effectiveness, and integration with organization teaching contexts is recommended (McGaghie et al, 2010). Recent studies in social work on the use of simulation-based training demonstrates positive student learning outcomes in generic social work skills (Bogo et al, 2012;Logie et al, 2013;Rawlings, 2012) and in cultural competence (Lu et al, 2011).…”

“…Training designs varied in length, from 6 hours to 3 months, and in their design, including classroom training and supervision, didactic teaching and role play, video feedback, and use of the internet. Carter et al (2006) conducted a systematic review of training and procedural interventions to improve identification and management of child maltreatment by health professionals. They also found variation in length, from a few hours to several days, and in design, including didactic, computer assisted learning, and interactive strategies with audiotapes, written feedback on case notes, action research, focus groups, and videoconferencing consultation on assessment of clinicians' current cases.…”

Barriers to Reporting Child Maltreatment

“…Half of EMTs in a national sample requested additional training about the signs and symptoms of child maltreatment, and only 25% strongly agreed that they felt comfortable reporting physical abuse; fewer felt comfortable reporting sexual abuse (9.2%) or neglect (21.0%) [15]. Effective training, policies, and practices that improve reporting rates already exist [25,26]. For example, use of a structured screening tool in hospital emergency departments can increase the identification of child maltreatment [27].…”

Outcomes of Short Course Interprofessional Education in Parental Mental Illness and Child Protection: Self-efficacy, Attitudes and Knowledge

“…A systematic review of training concerned with improving child protection (Carter et al, 2006) found only seven papers which assessed outcomes, all of which were pre-/postresearch designs. Five of these were of single agency training, all involving doctors or nurses, and two were interprofessional.…”