Barriers to routine screening for abuse of older adults in rural outpatient settings

Abuse of older adults remains under-detected in outpatient healthcare settings. This study examined practices, perceptions, and barriers related to screening for abuse of older adults among rural healthcare professionals, guided by the Health Belief Model. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design captured quantitative and qualitative responses to an anonymous survey. Thirty-two survey responses were recorded from healthcare professionals recruited across 16 outpatient clinics. Among respondents to the relevant demographic items, 66.7% were female, 93.3% White, and 34.6% reported 16 years or more of clinical experience. Confidence in recognizing abuse was moderate, but familiarity with standardized screening tools was limited. Qualitative content analysis identified barriers, including limited time, inadequate training, and unclear response protocols. Although respondents recognized the importance of screening, modifiable barriers limited consistent implementation. Findings support clearer clinical protocols, targeted training, and electronic health record screening prompts for rural outpatient practice.