To the Editor: I thank Oates,1 and Gwee and colleagues2 for writing on the role of the medical community in detecting and managing child abuse. I would like to add to the points they make. Doctors have a crucial role in medical follow-up for children in out-of-home care. Many children in out-of-home placements have complex needs, with physical and mental health disorders.3 Placement breakdowns mean that some children lack consistency in medical follow-up, which can lead to complete treatment drop-out. This is a significant risk factor for children in care.4
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- 1. Oates RK. Role of the medical community in detecting and managing child abuse [editorial]. Med J Aust 2014; 200: 7-8. <MJA full text>
- 2. Gwee A, Coghlan B, Rayner C, et al. Fortnightly emergency department case-file audit for timely detection of missed cases of suspicious injury [letter]. Med J Aust 2014; 200: 23. <MJA full text>
- 3. Tarren-Sweeney M, Hazell P. Mental health of children in foster and kinship care in New South Wales, Australia. J Paediatr Child Health 2006; 42: 89-97.
- 4. Golding K. Helping foster carers, helping children: using attachment theory to guide practice. Adoption & Fostering 2003; 27: 64-73. doi: 10.1177/030857590302700209.
- 5. Hollingworth S, Duhig M, Hall W, Scott J. National trends in the community prescribing of second-generation antipsychotic medications in Australian children and youth: the incomplete story. Australas Psychiatry 2013; 21: 442-445.
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