Identification and treatment of child physical abuse through medical and mental health collaborations

Physically abused children often require medical and mental health services. Professionals from both disciplines should be aware of critical issues related to child physical abuse (CPA) and ways in which they may work collaboratively to identify and treat abuse. In this article we present an overview of prevalence, etiology, identification, and common sequelae associated with CPA. Current psychosocial treatment models are reviewed and challenges and future directions regarding identification and treatment of physical abuse are discussed. The need for collaborative efforts between medical and mental health professionals is emphasized.