title: Barriers in detecting elder abuse among emergency medical technicians.
abstract: Elder abuse and neglect are highly under-reported in the United States. This may be partially attributed to low incidence of reporting among emergency medical technicians' (EMTs), despite state-mandated reporting of suspected elder abuse. Innovative solutions are needed to address under-reporting. The objective was to describe EMTs' experience detecting and reporting elder abuse.
  
  
  
  Qualitative data were collected from 11 EMTs and 12 Adult Protective Services (APS) caseworkers that participated in one of five semi-structured focus groups. Focus group data were iteratively coded by two coders.
  
  
  
  Findings suggest a number of barriers prevent EMTs from reporting elder abuse to APS. Participants suggested that limited training on elder abuse detection or reporting has been provided to them. EMTs suggested that training, creation of an automated reporting system or brief screening tool could be used to enhance EMT's ability to detect and communicate suspected cases of elder abuse to APS.
  
  
  
  Results from the present study suggest that EMTs may be uniquely situated to serve as elder abuse and neglect surveillance personnel. EMTs are eager to work with APS to address the under-reporting of elder abuse and neglect, but training is minimal and current reporting procedures are time-prohibitive given their primary role as emergency healthcare providers. Future studies should seek to translate these findings into practice by identifying specific indicators predictive of elder abuse and neglect for inclusion on an automated reporting instrument for EMTs.
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, UT School of Public Health, Dallas Regional Campus, 6011 Harry Hines Blvd. V.8.112, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA. Jennifer.Reingle@UTSouthwestern.edu.
authors: Jennifer M
authors: JM
authors: Reingle Gonzalez
authors: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
authors: M Brad
authors: MB
authors: Cannell
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, UT School of Public Health, Dallas Regional Campus, 6011 Harry Hines Blvd. V.8.112, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
authors: Katelyn K
authors: KK
authors: Jetelina
authors: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
authors: Sepeadeh
authors: S
authors: Radpour
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004552:Elder Abuse; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000523:psychology*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D000068217:Social Workers / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
keywords: Elder abuse; Exploitation; Neglect; Older adult; Screening