title: Are UK radiologists satisfied with the training and support received in suspected child abuse?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nwachuckwu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pervaiz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Landes
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Offiah
mesh_terms: 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