Medical Issues in CPS

This course expands on medical issues introduced in the Core curriculum. It provides participants with the knowledge and skills to make better in-depth assessments of a child's medical condition and of the parent's capacity to follow through on necessary care. Developmental and behavioral sequelae of medical problems in children and their relevance to casework intervention and service provision are discussed. Topics presented by a consultant physician and CPS trainer are: basic anatomy, head injuries, abdominal injuries, medical indicators and contra-indicators of child abuse and maltreatment, failure- to-thrive, bone injuries, burns, lacerations, bruises, welts, SIDS, Munchausen's by Proxy Syndrome, Pediatric AIDS, and medical neglect; Sexually Transmitted Diseases and other medical aspects of sexual abuse examinations; post-trauma developmental and medical follow-up; effects of poisons and substance abuse related to intentional or accidental ingestion; drug withdrawal effects; Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; and the relationship between the physician/medical professionals and CPS. Each topic is discussed within the context of a general explanation, indicators, medical diagnosis, CPS assessment and post- hospitalization issues. This course incorporates the latest medical changes (i.e., immunizations) and information (i.e., pediatric AIDS).

Objectives

• Present the clinical manifestations of inflicted injuries, poisonings, substance abuse and sexual abuse and the treatment options associated with them
• Introduce protocols for working with medical professionals in a variety of settings, e.g., hospital, clinic, emergency room
• Detail the behavioral and developmental effects of various medical problems and how they relate to caseworker safety and risk assessments

Outcomes

• identify medical indicators and their severity in relation to child abuse and neglect
• evaluate consequences of various medical conditions and indicators related to parental ability to protect the child and follow through on treatment
• describe effective ways of working with medical professionals in a child abuse and neglect investigation

Intended Audience

Outline

Day 1 covers the health care system and CPS; types of physical trauma: burns, head injuries, bone injuries and abdominal injuries; and the concept of "medical degree of certainty."

Day 2 presents information on medical neglect topics such as failure-to-thrive and Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy; effects of poisoning and drug and alcohol abuse on children; SIDS, pediatric AIDS; appropriate medical examinations in sexual abuse; and sexually transmitted diseases and their relationship to sexual abuse.

Training Methodology

Materials