@article{ref1,
title="Recognition of child maltreatment in emergency departments in Europe: should we do better?",
journal="PLoS one",
year="2021",
author="Hoedeman, F. and Puiman, P. J. and Smits, A. W. and Dekker, M. I. and Diderich-Lolkes de Beer, H. and Laribi, S. and Lauwaert, D. and Oostenbrink, R. and Parri, N. and García-Castrillo Riesgo, L. and Moll, H. A.",
volume="16",
number="2",
pages="e0246361-e0246361",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the different policies to recognize child maltreatment in emergency departments (EDs) in Europe in order to define areas of improvement. <br><br>METHODS: A survey was conducted on the recognition of child maltreatment in EDs in European countries with a focus on screening methods, parental risk factors, training and hospital policies. The survey was distributed through different key members from the EUSEM, REPEM and the EuSEN. A summary score based on the NICE guideline (4 questions on child characteristics, 4 questions on parental characteristics and 5 questions on hospital policy) was calculated. <br><br>RESULTS: We analysed 185 completed surveys, representing 148 hospitals from 29 European countries. Of the respondents, 28.6% used a screening tool, and 31.8% had guidelines on parental risk factors. A total of 42.2% did not follow training based on child characteristics, and 57.6% did not follow training on parental characteristics. A total of 71.9% indicated that there was a need for training. 50.8% of the respondents reported a standardized policy for the detection of child maltreatment. Translating the survey results to NICE summary scores of the EDs in Europe, we found that 25.6% (34/133) met most, 22.6% (30/133) met some and 51.9% (69/133) met few of the NICE guideline recommendations. More specifically, with respect to hospital policies, 33.8% (45/133) met most, 15.0% (20/133) met some and 51.1% (68/133) met few of the NICE guideline recommendations. <br><br>CONCLUSION: There is high variability regarding policies for child maltreatment detection and only a quarter of the EDs met most of the NICE guideline recommendations for child maltreatment. There is a need for the use of screening tools, training of ED staff and implementation of local hospital policies.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1932-6203",
doi="10.1371/journal.pone.0246361",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246361"
}