GPs in a recent Irish study were shown to be reluctant to become involved in child abuse cases. The study, by Dr Helen Buckley, coordinator of the advanced diploma in child protection and welfare in the Department of Social Studies, Trinity College, Dublin, involved 72 referrals for child abuse to social workers during a six month period in one health board area.
She found that of the five GPs interviewed in depth not one had a copy of the health department’s child abuse guidelines and that two “were completely unaware of their existence.” Of the 72 referrals for abuse, only four had been made by GPs, and in all cases the GPs were only passing on concerns voiced by the children’s parents.
GPs also expressed reluctance to become involved with social workers, police, or others engaged in the system.