title: Exploring the acceptability of a clinical decision rule to identify paediatric burns due to child abuse or neglect.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An evidence based clinical decision rule (CDR) was developed from a systematic review and epidemiological study to identify burns due to child maltreatment (abuse or neglect). Prior to an implementation evaluation, we aim to explore clinicians' views of the CDR, the likelihood that it would influence their management and factors regarding its acceptability.
  
  
  METHODS
  A semistructured questionnaire exploring demographics, views of the CDR and data collection pro forma, ability to recognise maltreatment and likelihood of following CDR recommended child protection (CP) action, was administered to 55 doctors and nurses in eight emergency departments and two burns units. Recognition of maltreatment was assessed via four fictitious case vignettes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fisher's exact test and variability measured by coefficient of unalikeability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of participants found the CDR and data collection pro forma useful (45/55, 81.8%). Only five clinicians said that they would not take the action recommended by the CDR (5/54, 9.3%). Lower grade doctors were more likely to follow the CDR recommendations (p=0.04) than any other grade, while senior doctors would consider it within their decision making. Factors influencing uptake include: brief training, background to CDR development and details of appropriate actions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is apparent that clinicians are willing to use a CDR to assist in identifying burns due to child maltreatment. However, it is clear that an implementation evaluation must encompass the influential variables identified to maximise uptake.
authors.affiliation: College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Emma Louise
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Linda Irene
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Hollén
authors.affiliation: College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Alison Mary
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kemp
authors.affiliation: College of Bio-medical and Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maguire
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: burns; non accidental injury; paediatric emergency med