Abstract
Elder abuse and neglect represents an extensive medical and social problem in the United States with an estimated prevalence of 4-10% of older persons. Physicians are mandated to report suspected abuse, but <2% of Adult Protective Service reports are filed by physicians. A knowledge or attitude survey was mailed to all adult primary care physicians in the study community. The intent was to explore possible knowledge deficits and perceived barriers to physician reporting. Regarding the attitude measure, physicians expressed that a lack of understanding of reporting mechanisms represented the most significant obstacle. Regarding the knowledge measure, a majority of the responding physicians were unable to recognize key risk factors for abuse. Study findings will be used to develop local educational programs to enhance physician understanding of elder abuse.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Collins K. A., Bennett A. T., Hanzlick R. Elder abuse and neglect. Autopsy Committee of the College of American Pathologists. Arch Intern Med. 2000 Jun 12;160(11):1567–1568. doi: 10.1001/archinte.160.11.1567. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hardin Eugene, Khan-Hudson Alia. Elder abuse--"society's dilemma". J Natl Med Assoc. 2005 Jan;97(1):91–94. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Harrell Regina, Toronjo Christine H., McLaughlin Jan, Pavlik Valory N., Hyman David J., Dyer Carmel Bitondo. How geriatricians identify elder abuse and neglect. Am J Med Sci. 2002 Jan;323(1):34–38. doi: 10.1097/00000441-200201000-00006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]