Duke University Hospital Program

The Child Abuse and Neglect Service at Duke University Hospital provides specialized medical evaluations for children experiencing alleged sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. This program is committed to ensuring the safety and health of children and families facing such critical issues. The Child Abuse and Neglect Medical Evaluation Clinic (CANMEC) team includes nationally recognized experts who offer not only evaluations but also consultation services 24 hours a day across the Duke medical system. Their mission is to conduct thorough evaluations and deliver appropriate treatments for concerns regarding child abuse and neglect, as supported by findings of the CDC on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on health and wellbeing throughout life.

The comprehensive approach of the team allows for community outreach, training of other professionals, and a strong emphasis on research and dissemination of knowledge to improve patient care. The faculty members are experienced clinicians and educators who are constantly striving to excel in their field while providing the highest quality of services to affected families 1.

Education and Training

The education and training program at Duke includes a variety of clinical rotations that span from one to four weeks, catering to medical students, residents, and fellows in Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Psychiatry. These rotations offer an extensive array of learning opportunities such as participation in inpatient and emergency department consultations, outpatient evaluations of child abuse and neglect, and multidisciplinary case reviews. Residents are encouraged to engage fully with the clinical aspects of the program by conducting caregiver interviews and performing physical examinations under the supervision of CANMEC staff. This hands-on experience is designed to cultivate their skills and understanding of the complexities involved in child abuse evaluations.

In addition to clinical exposure, training extends to community agencies, enabling the exchange of knowledge and collaboration with law enforcement and child protective services. Medical students are also afforded the chance to elect a one or two-week rotation focused on direct patient care, enabling them to observe and participate in a variety of clinical activities such as child interviews and physical examinations 2.

Residency Electives

The Duke Child Abuse and Neglect Service facilitates residency electives, allowing residents across several disciplines to undertake a dedicated focus on child abuse and neglect evaluations. During these electives, residents are provided with resources and opportunities to present relevant topics to the clinical team, bolstering their educational experience. They will participate in case reviews and accompany on-call medical providers to enhance their understanding of both outpatient and inpatient care in the context of child abuse, while also gaining insight into community response through multi-agency review meetings 3.

Fellowship Training Program

The fellowship in Child Abuse Pediatrics offers a three-year ACGME-accredited program aimed at producing experts in the field. The fellows gain direct clinical training through active involvement in both inpatient and outpatient settings, working alongside attending physicians who specialize in child abuse pediatrics. The fellowship structure fosters mentorship, professional development, and offers substantial educational resources, preparing fellows for board certification in Child Abuse Pediatrics 2.

Patient Care and Services

The patient care services at Duke University Hospital focus on both inpatient and outpatient considerations for children suspected of being victims of abuse. The program’s inpatient services offer broad consultation capabilities for pediatric care providers within the hospital, while outpatient evaluations take place in a child-friendly environment designed to address both physical and emotional safety. The emphasis on patient-centered care allows the medical team to cater specifically to the needs of vulnerable families in distress 4.

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral component of the Child Abuse and Neglect Service at Duke, with faculty engaged in various studies aimed at understanding and preventing child abuse and neglect. Research topics include traumatic brain injury prevention, long-term impacts on children from abuse, and factors influencing child disclosures of abuse. Faculty members are focused on identifying strategies that could proactively protect children from potential harm while enhancing treatment methodologies for those affected 5.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Duke Child Abuse and Neglect fellowship is known to be highly competitive. Prospective fellows must demonstrate a dedication to this subspecialty and possess comprehensive backgrounds in pediatrics, with a strong emphasis placed on research, clinical experience, and leadership potential. The program is also open to various candidates, including those from DO and IMG backgrounds, making it more accessible to a diverse range of medical professionals seeking specialization in this critical field.

Visa Support

The program provides visa sponsorship options for international medical graduates. Typically, the program can sponsor J-1 visas for clinical training purposes, which allows fellows to fulfill their educational requirements while gaining critical experience in the realm of child abuse pediatrics.