Objectives
The Child Abuse Elective at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is designed to accomplish the following goals and objectives. Upon completion of the elective, students and residents should be able to:
- Recognize and diagnose the different types of child abuse.
- Recognize at-risk situations for child abuse.
- Know the mandatory reporting laws and investigative processes.
- Understand the mental health issues of abused children.
- Take history from patients and families when abuse is suspected and know how to interact with families and other caretakers.
- Perform a sexual abuse examination using a colposcope and understand the findings which support a diagnosis of sexual abuse.
- Perform a forensic physical examination and understand the findings which demonstrate physical abuse.
- Learn about the evaluation of suspected Munchausen by Proxy.
- Use and interpret x-ray and laboratory studies that are helpful in detecting abuse.
- Learn how to differentiate abuse from other conditions.
- Learn legally defensible chart documentation.
- Interact and work effectively with social workers, police officers and prosecutors.
- Learn about community abuse prevention and mental health resources.
