Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Teams : Roles of Key Medical Professionals

Ideally, in cases of suspected child maltreatment, a child abuse medical team works together to provide compassionate, evidence-based care to promote the well-being of the child and their non-offending caregivers. Below are the key roles, associated training requirements, and responsibilities:

1. Child Abuse Pediatricians (CAPs)

are medical doctors who have graduated from medical school, completed a residency (typically pediatrics) and a three-year child abuse pediatrics fellowship. They are generally the lead physicians in cases of suspected child maltreatment and have expertise in the following areas:

• Trauma-informed care — CAPs support the child’s emotional and psychological needs during initial and follow up medical evaluations.
• Medical consultation — CAPs are skilled in recognizing signs and symptoms of child maltreatment. They are trained to conduct a thorough history and physical exam as well as ordering lab tests, imaging studies and referrals, some of which provides forensic information for legal proceedings. CAPs provide expert consultation to other medical providers, social workers, child protective services (CPS), law enforcement, etc.

For more information, see: HealthyChildren.org What is a Child Abuse Pediatrician?.

American Board of Pediatrics Pediatric Subspecialists Ever Certified

2. Child Abuse Medical Providers

are medical doctors or advanced practice providers (APPs) who have completed at least 16 hours of formal training in the medical evaluation of child sexual abuse. Many of these practitioners have completed far more formal (and informal) training.

• Medical doctors have completed medical school and generally a residency in pediatrics, family practice or emergency medicine.
• APPs have completed an advanced nursing degree. Many APPs who work in the field of child maltreatment are either Family or Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

3. Nurses

have completed a nursing program and obtained a BSN, RN or LPN degree. They provide hands-on care to the patient during the evaluation and treatment process. They have expertise in:

• Triage
• Recording patient information, including vital signs, history and any pertinent observations
• Assisting with the medical exam; serving as a chaperon
• Administering treatments, including medications

Some nurses also function as nurse case managers.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) are registered nurses with advanced training in the medical evaluation of sexual abuse. They are often asked to complete forensic examinations, including documentation and forensic evidence collection.

4. Medical Social Workers (MSWs)

are social workers who have obtained a master’s degree in social work. They play an important role in supporting the child and the non-offending caregivers throughout the medical evaluation. They have expertise in:

• Assessing family dynamics
• Providing crisis support
• Offering resources