THE SUCCESSFUL ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REQUIRES A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM THAT INCLUDES PHYSICIANS AND NURSES. THE ROLE OF THESE PROFESSIONALS IS TO PERFORM SHORT-TERM CRISIS INTERVENTION AND PROVIDE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND INITIAL FAMILY THERAPY. WHEN THE POSSIBILITY OF CHILD ABUSE IS SUSPECTED BY PHYSICIANS OR NURSES, THEY SHOULD PROCEED AS IF THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A MEDICAL ILLNESS. IN THE DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT PHASE, THREE QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED: (1) DOES THE FAMILY SITUATION MEET CRITERIA FOR ABUSE TO OCCUR; (2) IS THE HOME SAFE FOR THE CHILD; AND (3) HOW CAN THE HOME BE MADE SAFER. BASIC CRITERIA TO AID IN IDENTIFYING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PATTERNS ARE REQUIREMENTS THAT PARENTS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO ABUSE AND THAT SOME FORM OF CRISIS EXIST. FAILURE TO THRIVE IS A SPECIAL PROBLEM INVOLVING INFANTS LESS THAN 1 YEAR OF AGE WHO FAIL TO GROW AND DEVELOP. ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS AND IN TREATMENT PROGRAMS ARE REVIEW AND PLANNING CONFERENCES, HOME CHECKLISTS THAT FOCUS ON SAFETY, JUVENILE COURTS, LONG-TERM TREATMENT, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT OR WORLD OF ABNORMAL REARING. THE PROVISION OF CARE FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT VICTIMS IN PHYSICIAN OFFICES AND IN HOSPITALS IS DISCUSSED, AND THE DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT PROCESS IS ILLUSTRATED. ADDITIONAL POINTS ARE MADE ABOUT THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES THAT PERTAIN TO HANDLING CRISES, HANDICRAFT SKILLS OF BABY CARE, RELATIVES, THE HARD CORE OR INCURABLE FAMILY, AND THE PROBLEM OF RESPONSIBILITY (COORDINATION OF SERVICES BY PHYSICIANS AND NURSES). (DEP)