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Protecting the paediatrician: responding to recrimination
Author(s) -
Hoyte Patrick
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
child abuse review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1099-0852
pISSN - 0952-9136
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-0852(199605)5:2<103::aid-car241>3.0.co;2-z
Subject(s) - psychology , developmental psychology , medicine
Doctors involved in child abuse proceedings may be subjected to much blame and pressure because of their role as ‘messenger’. They frequently need assistance with complaints procedures, disciplinary proceedings, public inquiries, litigation, media problems and other threats to their professional integrity and reputation. The medical model of support which may be offered by the defence organizations has much to commend it to other workers in the field. The author is a medico‐legal adviser at the Medical Defence Union, and was extensively involved in assisting doctors at the Cleveland and Orkney Inquiries. From this privileged position he surveys the various procedures which may be used by parents and others to challenge paediatricians, and sets out possible ways in which practical support may be given.