Adoption: insights from a medical advisor and paediatric trainee

Abstract

Processes around adoption are not always well understood amongst medical professionals, who may have limited contact with this particular system. This article provides an overview of adoption procedures in England and the integral role that the medical advisor contributes. Adoption panels are discussed, including their structure, overview of processes, and how the medical advisor provides expert support. Ethical and moral challenges are explored, initially relating to implications of the mental and physical health of both adopters and adoptees. The impact of societal expectations on the adoption process is also discussed, from the uncertain future of genetic testing to the consideration of where an individual gets their identity. The second part of this article provides a trainees’ perspective and reflections having attended Adoption Panel, touching on interesting cases. We discuss the impact of attending panel on clinical practice and how it can alter perspectives in various aspects of work in Community Child Health.