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Child Protection Elective Information

Course Director: Dr. Alice Newton
Other Faculty: Susan Lipton LICSW

Goals and Objectives of Rotation:
  1. Learn about how and why a multidisciplinary team is used to evaluate possible abuse
    1. Understand how each discipline contributes to the evaluation of possible abuse by working with Social Work, Domestic Violence Advocates, and Medical Specialists
    2. Observe this multidisciplinary approach by attending case-based team meetings and monthly Child Protection Team meetings
    3. Learn about the role of community agencies by meeting with representatives from the Department of Social Services, the Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Suffolk District Attorney’s office
  2. Learn about the medical diagnosis of abusive vs accidental injury
    1. Gain knowledge of the cutaneous findings seen with abuse, and learn when to order further studies to search for underlying injury
    2. Understand how to approach the medical workup of possible abuse
      1. Laboratory evaluation
      2. Subspecialty consultation
    3. Participate in consultation on hospital cases of possible child abuse
  3. Understand how to approach cases of possible Sexual Assault in children
    1. Learn the difference between "crisis management" and "formal sexual abuse evaluation"
    2. Learn about the medical evaluation of sexual abuse
    3. Observe forensic interviews of children at the Children’s Advocacy Center
  4. Explore the issues of child neglect
    1. Understand the complexities which are often involved in cases of medical neglect
    2. Learn a step-wise approach to intervening in cases of possible neglect

Experience the legal aspects of Child Protection by observing both civil and criminal cases in court Residents on this rotation will participate in all Child Protection Team consults at MGH when they occur. Elective schedules are tailored to meet the needs of individual residents. Opportunities include attending a SAIN interview at the Suffolk County Children’s Advocacy Center, joining DSS members for meetings, and attending court proceedings related to child protection cases.

Web Information: http://www.massgeneral.org/children/specialtiesandservices/child_protection/default.aspx

To arrange an elective, please contact:
Susan Lipton, LICSW, slipton@partners.org, 4-0285