Koji Tanoue1, Masayoshi Senda2, Byongmun An3, Midori Tasaki4, Megumi Taguchi5, Kosuke Kobashi6, Shinji Oana7, Fumitake Mizoguchi8, Yuko Shiraishi9, Fujiko Yamada10, Makiko Okuyama11, Kotaro Ichikawa12. 1. Department of General Medicine, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Asahi General Hospital, Asahi, Chiba, Japan. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan. 4. Yokohama City Western Child Consultation Center, Yokohama, Japan. 5. Yokohama City Southern Child Consultation Center, Yokohama, Japan. 6. Department of Pediatrics, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan. 7. Department of Pediatrics, Nishisaitama Chuo National Hospital, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan. 8. Department of Pediatrics, Maebashi Red Cross Hospital, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan. 9. Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Tokyo University of Technology, Hachiouji, Japan. 10. Child First Japan, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan. 11. Department of Psychosocial Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan. 12. Department of Emergency Medicine, Kitakyushu City Yahata Hospital, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In 2014, we created a training program for personnel in medical institutions in Japan to combat child maltreatment. The aim of the present study was to document the effectiveness of this program. METHODS: Participants completed a questionnaire before and after the training lecture. The questionnaire designed for the training program included demographic questions such years of practice and area of specialty (i.e. physician, nurse, social worker, public health nurse, technician, and others), as well as experience of suspected child maltreatment cases and training in dealing with such cases. The questionnaire included 15 statements designed to ascertain practical knowledge and attitudes relevant to addressing child maltreatment. Baseline score measured before the lecture was compared with that obtained after the lecture. RESULTS: A total of 760 participants completed the survey, including 227 physicians, 223 nurses, 38 technologists, 27 social workers, 11 public health nurses, and 174 with other occupations, and 60 participants who left their occupation as blank. There was a significant difference between the baseline score of participants with versus without experience in suspected child maltreatment or training to deal with child maltreatment (F = 16.3; P < 0.001). After the lecture, the average score rose above the baseline (11.18 vs 10.57). The rate of correct answers for nine questionnaire items increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Professionals from a range of fields need clinical skills and judgement to decide if a child's injuries are due to maltreatment. The combination of increased clinical experience along with a high-quality didactic lecture, appears to be the most effective method of raising awareness and enhancing skills.
BACKGROUND: In 2014, we created a training program for personnel in medical institutions in Japan to combat child maltreatment. The aim of the present study was to document the effectiveness of this program. METHODS:Participants completed a questionnaire before and after the training lecture. The questionnaire designed for the training program included demographic questions such years of practice and area of specialty (i.e. physician, nurse, social worker, public health nurse, technician, and others), as well as experience of suspected child maltreatment cases and training in dealing with such cases. The questionnaire included 15 statements designed to ascertain practical knowledge and attitudes relevant to addressing child maltreatment. Baseline score measured before the lecture was compared with that obtained after the lecture. RESULTS: A total of 760 participants completed the survey, including 227 physicians, 223 nurses, 38 technologists, 27 social workers, 11 public health nurses, and 174 with other occupations, and 60 participants who left their occupation as blank. There was a significant difference between the baseline score of participants with versus without experience in suspected child maltreatment or training to deal with child maltreatment (F = 16.3; P < 0.001). After the lecture, the average score rose above the baseline (11.18 vs 10.57). The rate of correct answers for nine questionnaire items increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Professionals from a range of fields need clinical skills and judgement to decide if a child's injuries are due to maltreatment. The combination of increased clinical experience along with a high-quality didactic lecture, appears to be the most effective method of raising awareness and enhancing skills.