Management of child maltreatment suspicions in general practice: a mixed methods study.

General practice has an opportunity to act early in cases of suspected child maltreatment if uncertainty is accepted as a critical part of the process of reaching a diagnosis. Communication across sectors is key, as is support for GPs with suspicions and for families in need of help.Key pointsGPs are often thought to underreport child maltreatment but despite low levels of reporting, this does not mean they ignore it.Building on the connection with the family, making follow appointments, and discussing suspicions with colleagues are typical of how GPs manage suspicions of child abuse.Accepting uncertainty as a condition of raising the alarm could help GPs to act quickly to support children at risk of abuse.