A physician's perspective: elder abuse and neglect over 25 years.
Twenty-five years of involvement with elder abuse and neglect has yielded mixed results. The contribution by physicians to elder abuse, in contrast with child abuse, has been very limited. Physicians, despite being in an advantaged position to intervene, lag behind other professionals in reporting. Potential remedies include identification of abuse as a syndrome to allow for reimbursement, increased education and research funding, and a greater advocacy role by physician organizations.
O'Brien
James G
JG
Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA. jim.obrien@louisville.edu
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000639:trends*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations