Table 2 Propositions presented to the interviewees at the end of the interview

1. It is better to have an unjustified suspicion than to miss a case of child abuse (n=32)

2. Other specialties are pleased to let the pediatrician conduct the discussion with parents in the case of suspected child abuse (n=32)

3. Sometimes I do not report a suspicion of child abuse in order to avoid problems with the parents (n=26; not presented to members of the Board)

Propositions B. Child abuse team, special child abuse attendant, cooperation with Child Abuse Center

4. The Child Abuse Center is sufficiently accessible for reporting child abuse (n=26; not presented to members of the Board)

5. When it comes to child abuse, patient privacy is subordinate to the interests of consultations between health professionals (n=32)

Propositions C. Protocol for suspected child abuse

6. In our ED more than 90% of the child abuse cases are detected (n=32)

7. If no follow-up is organized, you might as well stop screening for child abuse (n=32)

8. Our ED staff is well informed about when/when not to fill out a screening instrument for child abuse (n=32)

Propositions D. Professional development

9. My medical training was sufficient to enable me to detect child abuse in practice (n=26; not presented to members of the Board)

10. Prejudice precludes proper detection of child abuse (n=32)