Difficulty Experienced by Members of the Child Abuse Prevention System at an Advanced Medical Hospital

Abstract

The number of child abuse is steadily increasing. Therefore, we conducted a survey with the aim of clarifying the confusion of the members of the Child Abuse Prevention System (CAPS) regarding the abuse support, and obtaining suggestions for hospital support and response.

In the group interview method, we had a discussion with the participation of twelve CAPS members. We conducted an interview, which was analyzed based on the qualitative integration method.

The CAPS members were aware of “fulfilling their responsibilities as a medical professional” and “necessity of fact confirmation” about child abuse. They found it difficult to deal with “response required under uncertain circumstances as a medical professional” and “reactions of parents suspected of abuse and consideration for them”. In particular, they had difficulty in dealing with parents including grandparents which is caused by “diversification of values between households” and “relationship between parental characteristics and abuse”, which became “barriers on the medical system side”.

“Interpretation of phenomena influenced by the values of medical professionals” led to the “trial of countermeasures in the current situation” such as direct support and cooperation with the government, and “difficulty in cooperation with related organizations and facilities”. The challenges were identified in various phenomena. “Inherent family problems” and “concerns and dilemmas of overlooking abuse held by medical staff” were factors that deepened the sense of difficulty.