The study's goal was to understand how a medical examination protocol might impede or encourage a child's disclosure of victimization. All records for 179 children who received an examination for sexual abuse during the period July 1, 1991 through June 30, 1992 were reviewed. Data were extracted about demographics, interviewer identity, the alleged acts, the alleged perpetrator and family characteristics. Overall disclosure rate was 47 percent. Factors associated with child disclosure were child age, siblings in the house, perpetrator other than a biological parent, alleged oral-genital contact or penetration, previous disclosure, and interview conducted by the physician. Factors significant in regression analysis were prior disclosure, age greater than four years, and interview by the physician rather then by a social worker or psychologist. Findings related to disclosure to the physician may be confounded by child age. Nevertheless, findings suggest the need to consider the advantages the physician might bring to the conduct of sexual abuse interviews. Tables, references