title: Obstetrician-gynecologists' knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding elder abuse screening.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Elder abuse is a prevalent and growing social problem with significant consequences on victims' mental and physical health. Unfortunately, many cases of elder abuse go unreported. Elderly women are at increased risk for abuse and, as such, obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) are in a unique position to screen for and report abuse. This study intended to determine OB/GYNs' knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding elder abuse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred Fellows and Junior Fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) received a survey. Analysis was completed with SPSS 20.0. In addition to descriptive statistics, χ(2) analyses were used to determine differences between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 122 fellows responded (61%). Abuse screening rates differed by abuse type. Few "always" screen for abuse, with half assessing only when it is suspected. Most (81%) had never reported a case of abuse. Younger males reported different clinical practice patterns than other groups. Generally, OB/GYNs were knowledgeable about risk factors and facts about elder abuse, but several knowledge gaps were identified. Most reported that elder abuse screening is within their professional purview. Half of the respondents cited time constraints as a barrier to screening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Greater education about elder abuse screening is needed. Specifically, training regarding available valid and brief screening tools, local abuse reporting laws, and available community resources. This study identified the potential need to target younger male OB/GYNs for additional training.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Psychology Department, West Haven, Connecticut. Electronic address: meaghan.leddy@yale.edu.
authors: Meaghan A
authors: MA
authors: Leddy
authors: Department of Psychology, American University, Washington, DC; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington, DC.
authors: Victoria A
authors: VA
authors: Farrow
authors: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington, DC.
authors: Jay
authors: J
authors: Schulkin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003625:Data Collection; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics; D010820:Physicians; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'