Are UK radiologists satisfied with the training and support received in suspected child abuse?
OBJECTIVE
To determine current practice and perceptions of the adequacy of training and support received for the reporting of skeletal surveys in suspected physical child abuse.


METHODS
A list of telephone numbers of UK hospitals with a radiology department was obtained from the Royal College of Radiologists. One hundred hospitals were then randomly selected for inclusion in the survey. An 18-item questionnaire was successfully administered to consultant radiologists from 84 departments.


RESULTS
Sixty-one percent of departments had a named radiologist to report their skeletal surveys, 16% assigned surveys to a random radiologist, and 23% referred them elsewhere. Only 52% of departments had a dedicated paediatric radiologist, thus in a significant proportion of departments (25%) initial reports on skeletal surveys for physical abuse were provided by non-paediatric radiologists. Fifteen percent did not have ready access to a paediatric radiology opinion. Sixty-one percent thought that the service could be improved. Expert evidence was provided by 5% of respondents. Seventy-three percent would never consider providing expert evidence, even if given adequate radiology and/or legal training.


CONCLUSIONS
The survey shows significant dissatisfaction amongst consultant radiologists with the current service, confirms a low number of paediatric radiologists taking on this work, and suggests the potential to increase numbers of radiology child abuse experts by 27% if given improved training and support. Appropriate service and education strategies should be implemented.
Leung
R S
RS
Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
Nwachuckwu
C
C
Pervaiz
A
A
Wallace
C
C
Landes
C
C
Offiah
A C
AC
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D011859:Radiography; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D006113:United Kingdom