Evidence-Based Education on Child Maltreatment Risk Factors for Pediatric Primary Care Providers

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to educate pediatric providers on the Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) model to improve their knowledge of psychosocial risk factors for child maltreatment (CM) and support their identification of these targeted risk factors in the primary care setting. Background: Child maltreatment is a significant problem in the United States (US) that is highly preventable. Pediatric primary care providers (PCPs) are in a unique role to aid prevention efforts; however, the majority of providers do not routinely screen for CM and associated psychosocial risk factors. Key barriers to provision of CM screening and anticipatory guidance include lack of provider knowledge, training, comfort, and lack of validated and recommended screening tool. The SEEK model was created to address this gap in care and serves as an effective, evidence-based program for use in the primary care setting to educate and support providers in preventing child maltreatment. Methods: This QI project utilized pretest/posttest design with an evidence-based educational PowerPoint presentation that summarized SEEK provider training modules. Participants were pediatric PCPs from Agave Pediatrics in Arizona. The 10-question pretest survey and 11-question posttest survey contained five of the same knowledge-based questions about presentational content. Additional survey questions measured participant perception of knowledge level, as well as level of comfort assessing and addressing CM risk factors. Results: Four providers (n=4) completed the pretest survey, educational presentation, and posttest survey. Project data demonstrate that there was statistically significant (p<0.05) improvement in knowledge following educational intervention. Participants’ perception of their knowledge following educational intervention demonstrated an improvement, although not statistically significant (p=0.88). All participants agreed that educational presentation increased their levels of comfort in assessing and addressing psychosocial stressors and risk factors associated with child maltreatment. Conclusions: This DNP projected demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in provider knowledge following an educational presentation on CM and SEEK model. This project adds to current body of evidence supporting educational interventions as an effective method to improve provider knowledge of CM risk factors and associated psychosocial concerns, specifically through the utilization of the SEEK model.