Obstetrician-gynecologists' knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding elder abuse screening

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Medical Education

Background:

• Elder abuse is a significant public health issue affecting victims' well-being.
• Elderly women face elevated risks, positioning OB/GYNs to identify abuse.
• Many elder abuse cases remain unreported, highlighting a critical detection gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess OB/GYNs' knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning elder abuse.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to elder abuse screening and reporting by OB/GYNs.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to Fellows and Junior Fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
• Data analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to compare demographic groups.
• Response rate was 61% (122 out of 200).

Main Results:

• Screening rates varied by abuse type, with many OB/GYNs screening only when abuse is suspected.
• A large majority (81%) had never reported elder abuse.
• While knowledgeable, OB/GYNs identified knowledge gaps and cited time constraints as a major screening barrier.

Conclusions:

• OB/GYNs require enhanced education on elder abuse screening tools and reporting protocols.
• Targeted training may be beneficial for younger male OB/GYNs.
• Improving screening and reporting practices is crucial for addressing elder abuse.