Citation

Yamaoka Y, Wilsie C, Bard E, Bonner BL. Child Abuse Negl. 2019; 94: e104032.

Affiliation

Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104032

PMID

31202039

Abstract

BACKGROUND: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center has offered Interdisciplinary Training Program (ITP) for Child Abuse and Neglect since 1987. However, there are limited evaluations on multidisciplinary/interprofessional training for early professionals in the field of child abuse and neglect.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effects of the ITP on young professionals in developing their careers and taking leadership roles in the field of child abuse and neglect.

METHODS: The anonymous online survey was conducted for students who completed in the ITP from 1989 to 2016 (n = 405, with contact information out of total 508 graduates). One hundred seventy nine alumni (44.2%) responded to the survey.

RESULTS: Satisfaction for the ITP was high (m = 9.3, sd = 0.97 on a 10 point scale with higher numbers being positive). Their current contributions to the field of child abuse and neglect were widely seen in child advocacy (43.0%), clinical treatment (39.1%), primary prevention (29.6%), or research (27.9%). Graduates reported they made 133 presentations to civic or professional groups and published 69 articles since they finished the ITP.

CONCLUSION: The ITP trainees have made significant contributions to the field in clinical treatment, research, and child advocacy. Alumni were highly satisfied with their experience and continue to see the importance of the ITP to their jobs and career.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Child abuse and neglect; Education; Interdisciplinary; Professional; Training