“Agents” of at-Risk Children: Implementation and Assimilation of Training for Hospital Pediatricians

Child maltreatment is a widespread phenomenon, with studies indicating the crucial role of hospitals in identifying and intervening in cases of suspected abuse. Yet, despite the extensive body of research on training programs for the identification and treatment of such cases in hospital settings, the examination of their implementation is limited. The study aimed to examine the implementation of such a training program in identifying and treating at-risk children by pediatricians and their colleagues at the hospital. Eighteen pediatricians from 14 Israeli hospitals who had completed the training program participated in the study. Interviews were conducted with all program participants in at two points in time: six months after the end of the program, and about a year later. An inductive content analysis of the data collected at both times was conducted. Analysis of the findings yielded three major themes common to both assessment times, with different subthemes at each time: (1) Implementation of acquired knowledge and skills in their own work; (2) Dissemination of knowledge to colleagues; and (3) Assimilation of their new role by other staff members. The study underscores the importance of adopting a broad organizational perspective when assessing the implementation of such training programs. It suggests that participants should be viewed as agents of institutional change, whose influence extends beyond their personal practice to affect the wider organization.