The Development of a Computer-Simulated Child Abuse Screening Tool

Co-I: Heather J. Risser, PhD

The Computer-Simulated Interactive Child Abuse Screening Tool (CSI-CAST) project combines a simulation (assessment phase) with an online training component (training phase) to assess and train users to diagnose and respond to child physical abuse (CPA). A prototype of the simulation exists in which users will conduct virtual examinations where multiple contextual cues related to CPA are present (assessment phase). Based on user actions in the assessment phase, personalized online training modules will load.

The development team is currently in the formative evaluation stage of prototype development. The ultimate goal of this project is to disseminate training to improve competence in assessing and responding to suspected CPA.