Telemedicine for Child Protection

The Child Protection Telemedicine and ECHO Network

Prompt response to child abuse or neglect is critical. Telemedicine is an effective way to get your patient families the help they need right away, without leaving your community.

The Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children staff, medical professionals, child protective service workers and law enforcement throughout Georgia can access these services through Child Protection Telemedicine. Virtual training and medical case management support are also available through the Child Abuse and Neglect Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO).

The network provides one-on-one access to a team of experts—effectively and remotely—when sexual or physical abuse or neglect is suspected. Teleconferencing equipment allows a provider at Children’s to converse with the patient, family, investigators and examiner. Medical specialists provide real-time assistance with physical exams, while mental health professionals provide psychological assessments and care, all over the network.

Child Abuse and Neglect ECHO

Currently, a limited number of medical providers in Georgia conduct medical evaluations on suspected victims of physical and sexual abuse. The providers who have agreed to examine these children often feel they lack the necessary experience to do a thorough and accurate exam. This barrier is overcome by regular and consistent peer review of cases so that a group of providers can share their experience and increase their collective and individual expertise.

The Child Abuse and Neglect ECHO exists to create a virtual community of child advocacy centers throughout Georgia, particularly child advocacy centers in rural and medically underserved areas of the state. The collaborative effort allows for teaching through didactic lecture, peer reviews and case presentations. The Child Abuse and Neglect ECHO strives to guide medical providers in Georgia who conduct medical evaluations on suspected victims of physical and sexual abuse.

The Child Abuse and Neglect ECHO model:

• Increases access to specialty consultation.
• Facilitates professional interaction with colleagues.
• Offers no-cost continuing education credits.