Child Maltreatment Detection Practices in Israeli Pediatric Emergency Departments: Presentation at the DARE Conference in Zurich

Dr. Ravit Alfandari and Dr. Tal Solomonica presented recent research on child maltreatment detection practices in Israeli pediatric emergency departments at the DARE Conference in Zurich, Switzerland.

The presentation was based on a national study involving healthcare professionals from pediatric emergency departments across Israel. It addressed professionals’ perceptions of under-detection, their confidence in identifying different types of child maltreatment, consultation and decision-making patterns, and the use of computerized tools and clinical protocols in emergency care settings.

Dr. Alfandari and Dr. Solomonica highlighted the need to strengthen healthcare professionals’ ability to identify children at risk, improve access to relevant information across services, and develop decision-support tools that support professional judgment. The presentation emphasized the importance of integrating clinical knowledge, interprofessional consultation, and data-informed tools to promote earlier and more effective safeguarding responses for children and families.