THE IDENTIFICATION AND REPORTING OF PHYSICAL ABUSE BY PHYSICIANS - A REVIEW AND IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Identification and reporting of possible cases of child physical abuse are critical precursors to intervention with maltreating families. Pr ofessionals from a variety of disciplines are mandated to report suspe cted cases of child maltreatment. Unfortunately, not all physically ab used children are identified or reported. This paper reviews the liter ature that has examined factors that may influence the identification and reporting of physical abuse by physicians. The literature review i s preceded by an overview of the multistep, multibehavior process of i dentification and reporting. The factors that may influence identifica tion and reporting are discussed according to their association with t he case, physician, or setting. Future directions for research in the area of identification and reporting are suggested throughout the pape r.