Scope of Practice

VFPMS members have a defined scope of practice. This is determined by the hospitals in which the members practice.

Criteria for determining scope of practice include:

 

1. Postgraduate Qualification

In paediatric medicine, child health and / or forensic medicine.

VFPMS Trainees who are working towards obtaining qualifications in paediatric medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Forensic Medicine or other specialist training will also be supervised in their clinical practice during their rotation with VFPMS.

2. Specialized Practice (proven experience)

• Evaluation of injury
• Videocolposcopy
• Provision of medico legal reports
• Provision of expert opinion and expert testimony

3. Approved training to undertake procedure or specialist practice

• Specialist training in the evaluation of child sexual abuse (e.g. DSAC)
• Training in injury evaluation
• Training in presentation of evidence (written and verbal)

 

VFPMS use of Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNEs)

From time to time , particularly in regional Victoria, a forensic nurse may be required to collect samples from a person aged les than 18 years.

Forensic Nurse Examiners hold qualifications in Forensic Nursing awarded after successful completion of training by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.

The curriculum and assessment do not include training and evaluation related to child and adolescent sexual abuse, paediatric or adolescent medicine.

VFPMS recognises that FNEs are adequately trained to collect samples for forensic analysis.

VFPMS advises that evaluation of a child's injury and formulation of medicoegal opinion in relation to possible injury to a child or adolescent is not within the recognised area of expertise of forensic nursing.

 

 

Credentialing of Forensic Paediatricians / Physicians (VFPMS)

CREDENTIALLING BY VFPMS IS NOT YET OPERATIONAL IN VICTORIA

Acute Health services credential medical staff according to standards determined by the Department of Human Services

VFPMS awards a Certificate of Competency to trainees who have demonstrated proficiency in evaluation of suspected child abuse.

 

The following information is for discussion only

Credentials are for the purpose of identifying doctors who have demonstrated competencies in the evaluation of suspected child abuse and in the provision of high quality expert opinion evidence (as distinct from direct evidence – ie evidence about what they saw, heard etc) in relation to child abuse.

Credentials are based on 3 criteria

• Qualifications
• Experience
• Clinical practice standards

Qualifications

Qualifications in either paediatric medicine or forensic medicine with additional training in the other specialty

FRACP + additional training in forensic medicine
Or FRACGP + For Med + paediatric medicine training
Or MMBS + MForMed + other training in paediatrics

• Paediatric medicine courses/qualifications
  • DCH
  • Dip Adol Health
  • Dip Infant Mental Health
• Forensic medicine qualifications / courses
• Dip Med Jurisprudence (Clin)
• Certificate For Med (VIFM)
• Dip For Med (VIFM)
• M For Med (VIFM)

• APSAC (USA) courses
• Dip / Masters Health and Medical Law
• Sexual Abuse training
• DSAC – basic and advanced – child and adolescent sexual abuse
• Terry’s child sexual abuse  course
• APSAC courses
• Courses in presentation of evidence – various Colleges (ACLM)
• Recent graduate - approved tertiary level CP training program SAC approval
  See curriculum development CCH FRACP
• Distance education and / or CD ROMs / VFPMS ‘webinars’ and modules
• AAP physical abuse
• University of California
• APSAC distance ed. – e.g. Carole Jenny’s training package
• Grandfathering for doctors who commenced practice in this field prior to the development of courses and qualifications and who have maintained their self directed learning in combination with extensive clinical practice in child protection.

Experience

Doctors must be actively involved in clinical practice.

 

Case work

Minimum of 5 cases for evaluation of suspected child abuse per year – medical reports must be provided as proof of continued proficiency. Annual appraisal

 

Or	Sessional appointment to tertiary child protection unit
AND	Continuing professional education (5 yearly – average per annum) Self directed learning 30 hours per annum Attend one workshop, seminar or conference alternate yearly. (focus = on child abuse evaluations or child protection work).
AND	Satisfactory presentation of evidence (assessed by stakeholders) Written reports Case conferences (including SCAN meetings) Court

(What is NOT suggested is a minimum number of years of clinical work post graduation)

Clinical Practice Standards

Clinical practice standards as evidenced by:

• Participation in tertiary level child protection unit activities
• Use of accredited proforma for evaluation of suspected child abuse
• Satisfactory appraisal of medical reports (5 pa)
• Absence of disciplinary action
  
  And
• Peer review
• Participate in at least 3 peer review meetings per annum
• Subject all medical reports to peer review or supervision
• Bi monthly 1:1 clinical supervision
• Annual performance appraisal
  
  And
• Adherence to VFPMS codes of conduct
• Adherence to VFPMS policies and protocols