Assessment in Adult Protective Services: do multidisciplinary teams make a difference?
This study compared 2 approaches to the assessment of Adult Protective Services (APS) cases. Using administrative data from 869 cases in 2 counties in Maryland, the differences between a nurse/social worker team and a lone social worker in case disposition, risk reduction, recidivism, and cost effectiveness were examined. Lone social workers were significantly more likely to confirm financial exploitation, physical abuse, and neglect by others; while the team approach resulted in significantly greater risk reduction. No differences were observed in relation to recidivism, self-neglect and cost savings. Given limited resources, research that examines optimal staffing patterns in APS agencies is warranted.
Department of Sociology and Social Work, Hood College, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701, USA. ernst@hood.edu
Joy Swanson
JS
Ernst
Charles A
CA
Smith
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D008396:Maryland; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012947:Social Work / Q000379:methods*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data