@article{ref1,
title="Detecting child abuse based on parental characteristics: does the Hague Protocol cause parents to avoid the Emergency Department?",
journal="International emergency nursing",
year="2014",
author="Diderich, Hester M. and Fekkes, Minne and Dechesne, Mark and Buitendijk, Simone E. and Oudesluys-Murphy, Anne Marie",
volume="23",
number="2",
pages="203-206",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: The Hague Protocol is used by professionals at the adult Emergency Departments (ED) in The Netherlands to detect child abuse based on three parental characteristics: (1) domestic violence, (2) substance abuse or (3) suicide attempt or self-harm. After detection, a referral is made to the Reporting Center for Child Abuse and Neglect (RCCAN). This study investigates whether implementing this Protocol will lead parents to avoid medical care. <br><br>METHOD: We compared the number of patients (for whom the Protocol applied) who attended the ED prior to implementation with those attending after implementation. We conducted telephone interviews (n = 14) with parents whose children were referred to the RCCAN to investigate their experience with the procedure. <br><br>RESULTS: We found no decline in the number of patients, included in the Protocol, visiting the ED during the 4 year implementation period (2008-2011). Most parents (n = 10 of the 14 interviewed) were positive and stated that they would, if necessary, re-attend the ED with the same complaints in the future. <br><br>CONCLUSION: ED nurses and doctors referring children based on parental characteristics do not have to fear losing these families as patients.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1755-599X",
doi="10.1016/j.ienj.2014.09.004",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ienj.2014.09.004"
}