Incorporating Child Maltreatment Training into Medical School Curricula

Abstract

The Child Advocacy Studies Training (CAST) program has been implemented at the graduate and undergraduate levels, but has not been incorporated in medical school training. This study examines the efficacy of a modified version of the CAST program that is tailored to meet the educational needs of medical students. A total sample of 75 first year medical students (57 at 6 month follow-up) participated in the study and completed analogue vignettes depicting cases of maltreatment. It was hypothesized that, relative to the comparison group, students who completed CAST training would demonstrate better accuracy at identifying and reporting maltreatment. Results indicated that CAST students demonstrated improved accuracy at the conclusion of the CAST program and 6 months later.