The aim of this research was to investigate the Croatian primary health care doctors’ experience, expertise and attitudes about child abuse and neglect. The research included 253 paediatricians and 2524 general practitioners, family doctors and school children doctors. They were sent a questionnaire to their workplaces. The results showed that doctors who filled out the questionnaire (78 paediatricians and 512 general practitioners, family doctors and school children doctors) only rarely or occasionally detected the problem of abuse. Although they clearly take their duties professionally, they are aware that they have not had enough education and consequently they do not have enough knowledge in this field. Up to 86% of paediatricians and 83% of general practitioners, family doctors and school children doctors want further education in the field of child abuse and neglect. The obtained results, as well as the data on the small number of doctors who refer abuse and neglect, indicate that there is a need for comprehensive education of doctors in Croatia in the field of child protection.

child abuse, child neglect, primary health care