What is Said and What is Understood? The Readability and Language of Child Protection Medical Reports. (20th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cutland, Michelle; Sims, Jo; Pye, Matthew; Rourke, Catherine; McMullan, Kirsty; Linden, Anna; Jones, Steve
• Is Part Of: Child abuse review. Volume 28:Number 2(2019)
• Page Start: 159
• Page End: 165
• Publication Date: 2019-02-20
• Subjects: Child abuse -- Periodicals; Child abuse -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Abused children -- Services for -- Periodicals; Abused children -- Services for -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1002/car.2543
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-9136

Abstract

Abstract : Key Practitioner Messages Child protection medical reports provide the voice and opinion of a paediatrician, and must be readable by all. Child protection medical reports should include a professional opinion even if the opinion is one of being unsure. Simple measures can improve the readability of reports. A number of descriptive words are used in the opinions of reports. Standardisation of these could be encouraged to reduce misinterpretation. 'Child protection medical reports provide the voice and opinion of a paediatrician, and must be readable by all'