Vansweevelt Thierry
University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Eur J Health Law. 2013 Jun;20(3):271-88. doi: 10.1163/15718093-12341273.
Several research questions raises when physicians are confronted with a possible case of child abuse. First, there is a problem of professional secrecy. In most European countries, physicians have the right to speak when confronted with a state of emergency. In other countries, physicians have a duty to speak and alert the police when the life or physical integrity of a person is at stake. A second topic to be discussed involves the possible liability of physicians who do not report child abuse. By not reporting a case of possible child abuse, the physician is respecting the family life of the parents, even though the child might continue to suffer damages. Third and essentially, I analyse the possible liability of physicians who do inform the prosecutor ofa suspected child abuse. Specific criteria are elaborated to establish negligence when physicians report child abuse to the prosecutor.
当医生面对可能存在的虐待儿童案件时，会产生几个研究问题。首先，存在职业保密问题。在大多数欧洲国家，医生在面对紧急情况时有发言的权利。在其他国家，当一个人的生命或身体完整性受到威胁时，医生有义务发言并提醒警方。第二个要讨论的话题涉及未举报虐待儿童行为的医生可能承担的责任。通过不举报可能存在的虐待儿童案件，医生尊重了父母的家庭生活，尽管孩子可能会继续受到伤害。第三也是最重要的，我分析了那些确实向检察官通报疑似虐待儿童案件的医生可能承担的责任。当医生向检察官举报虐待儿童行为时，会制定具体标准来确定是否存在过失。
