PROS Child Abuse Recognition Experience Study (CARES) PROTOCOL OVERVIEW

Protocol Summary

1. All PROS practitioners were asked to participate in the study.
   
   
2. Each participating practitioner completed a baseline survey called the Practitioner Characteristic Survey. This survey collected information about practice setting, prior response to child abuse reporting mandates, previous experience with child protective services (CPS), education about child abuse, and other experience treating child abuse injuries.
   
   
3. Each practitioner completed Injury Encounter Cards on 30 consecutive injuries treated in the office. If any injury was suspected to be caused by physical abuse and was reported to CPS, the practitioner completed a Child Abuse Report Follow-up Form.
   
   
4. A sample of practitioners who reported a suspicious injury to CPS were sent an additional survey and contacted to participate in a Child Abuse Report Telephone Interview 6 weeks and 6 months after they reported the injury. The 6 week interview inquired about immediate consequences of reporting for the child, family, practice and practitioner. This interview also inquired about the management of the patient, and the practitioner's process of decision making. The 6 month interview obtained information about the outcome of the report, benefits for the child and family, and a description of the practitioner's experience with CPS, law enforcement and possible prosecution.
   
   
5. A sample of practitioners who indicated an injury was moderately suspicious of abuse but did not report it to CPS were sent an additional survey and contacted to participate in a Child Abuse Suspicious Injury Telephone Interview 6 weeks and 6 months after they indicated the injury. The 6 week interview inquired about management of the patient, referrals or consultations made, the practitioner's process of decision making and any information known about the child or family's outcome. The 6 month interview asked about the results of any management or referrals and any further information known about the child or family's outcome.
   
   
6. A sample of additional practitioners were randomly selected to complete the surveys and interviews described above.

Core support for the PROS network is provided by a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau

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Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS)
American Academy of Pediatrics
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