A multidisciplinary approach to child maltreatment: Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) teams in BC

Managing suspected child abuse cases in the primary care setting is difficult. These cases are typically time consuming, and the prospect of having to testify in court can be daunting. As well, many physicians feel they lack the necessary expertise to render an opinion on possible child maltreatment. The challenges may be mitigated by involving local child abuse experts more familiar with these difficult situations. Fortunately, child abuse pediatrics is an emerging subspecialty in pediatric medicine and an evolving specialty in social work, psychology, and nursing. In British Columbia, five Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) teams with access to pediatric, social work, and mental health resources are available to help medical professionals engaged in the complex decision-making process of investigating and reporting child abuse.