Evaluation of Healthcare Professionals' Approach to Child Abuse and Neglect**

Year 2021, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 50 - 55, 30.04.2021

Itır Erkan

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the awareness of
healthcare providers about child abuse and to propose solutions
by identifying possible problems.
Material and Methods: In this study was administered to 256
healthcare providers who were in charge in three private hospitals in Istanbul and who accepted to study between January
and July 2017.
Results: When examining the status of education for child
abuse and neglect during the education of healthcare providers
participating in the study; 60% of midwives, 49% of nurses, 70%
of doctors and 18% of health professionals specified that they
had an education. Nevertheless, 38% of midwives, 58% of nurses, 71% of doctors and 87% of healthcare professionals stated
that they did not have enough education. They have stated that
about 30% of midwives and nurses have not reported in the past
five years, despite the fact that child abuse and neglect confronts
the suspected event. It was also found that approximately 80% of
midwives, nurses and healthcare professionals who participated
in the study were not sufficiently knowledgeable about Shaken
baby and Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
Discussion and Conclusion: The results show that the education was not enough on this issue. In this respect, it is suggested
that education programs for the healthcare providers and administrators on child abuse and forensic nursing issues should
be arranged to overcome the shortcomings in this issue.

Keywords

Child abuse, health institutions, forensic sciences

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