What role for the general practitioner in child protection?

Background. New government guidance on cooperation in child protection conf irms the importance of the general practitioner (GP) contribution. While re search highlights the concerns of of hers about their role in the multi-age ncy process, relatively little is known about the views and experiences of GPs themselves. Aim. To examine the understanding that each of the key professional groups had of its own and each other's roles in child protection to identify those factors seen to enhance or inhibit the effective performance of these role s. Method. The research formed part of a larger investigation of the role of h ealth professionals in child protection, which combined case study investig ations of child protection networks in three health authority sites with a regional survey of Area Child Protection Committee members. Results, A lack of correspondence was identified between GPs' perception an d performance of their role in child protection and the expectations placed upon them by other child protection professionals and government guidance. Conclusion. The study identifies the need for more explicit discussion of t he nature and extent of the GP role in local interagency child protection n etworks.