Identifying Victims of Elder Abuse and Neglect: A Training Video for Prehospital Personnel

Abstract

Introduction:The majority of prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) personnel lack specific training relating to elder abuse and neglect.Objectives:To develop and test an audio visual training program that focuses on the identification and reporting of domestic violence in the elderly.Methods:A videotape was designed to be used as a 45-minute training course for prehospital personnel using one-half inch, super-VHS recording. A convenience sample of 60 EMS personnel working in Kent County then were asked to evaluate the videotape program. Each volunteer completed a pre-test on elder abuse and neglect, watched the 45-minute videotape, and then answered 12 questions on a post-test.Results:Participants had an average of 12.4 years (range: 1–30 years) prehospita emergency-care experience. Only four (7%) could recall any previous training relating to elder abuse or neglect during their career. Although the prevalence of elder abuse in their community was described as “rather rare” by most (60%) of the subjects, 85% (51/60) had seen a suspected case of elder abuse or neglect during their careers; 47% (28/60) had seen a case during the past six months. Only 29% of these suspected cases were reported to county authorities. Approximately 40% of the questions on the pre-test were answered correctly (mean score, 4.8 ± 3.0). In comparison, 83% of the questions on the post-test were answered correctly (10.0 ± 3.0). Although participants had a number of suggestions to improve the video program, 78% (47/60) expected this material to change the way they will evaluate elderly patients in the future.Conclusion:Prehospital personnel do not feel confident identifying or reporting victims of elder abuse or neglect. A videotape training program may be an effective way of presenting this information as a means of continuing education.

Pre-hospital provider recognition of intimate partner violence

“…The 3-month post-training survey also indicated that paramedics did not routinely screen patients for domestic violence and only 31% were confident in asking questions regarding IPV. These results are similar to a study by Seamon et al 18 where 40% of 60 EMS personnel indicated they still were not confident enough to identify elder abuse following a 45-min training intervention. Continuing education and training seem central in improving pre-hospital provider's confidence and ability to identify IPV and warrants further investigation.…”

“…2,8,10,18,20 Educational interventions were capable of increasing this knowledge, 2,5,8,18 but not necessarily the screening and reporting ability. 8,10,18 There was a relative paucity of information There has been no formal research performed within Australia regarding either knowledge, reporting ability or screening of IPV in the pre-hospital setting; that is ambulance officers and paramedics across Australia. Due to the differences in training, education and organisational structure of ambulance services worldwide, it is difficult to make comparisons.…”

“…The research performed in the US to date has indicated that pre-hospital providers have a poor to moderate knowledge of IPV and are limited in their ability to identify and report IPV, however educational interventions have the potential to increase this knowledge. 2,5,8,10,18,20 Weiss et al 2 assessed a 3-h educational lecture on domestic violence, including information on history, extent, prevalence, laws, types and stages of domestic violence, screening tools, and potential barriers. A pre-intervention test resulted in 46 emergency medical technicians scoring an average of 54% answers correct.…”

Emerging Innovations, Best Practices, and Evidence-Based Practices in Elder Abuse and Neglect: a Review of Recent Developments in the Field

“…Six studies examined the effectiveness of educational programs with professionals to detect, report or treat EAN with the majority finding short term positive outcomes (Jogerst et al 2008;Jogerst and Ely 1997;Seamon et al 1997;Uva and Guttman 1996;Liu et al 2010;Sugita and Garrett 2012). In the Jogerst et al (2008) study, increased training for APS investigators lead to more substantiations.…”

“…Participants rated their ability to diagnose elder abuse and assess the patient's home environment significantly higher than non-participants. In two different studies, education provided to emergency medical personnel also produced positive results in the recognition of abuse, including indicators of sexual abuse, and understanding correct reporting procedures (Seamon et al 1997;Uva and Guttman 1996). Another study tested a case management educational intervention with public health nurses through a cluster randomized controlled trial design; researchers found statistically significant differences between the intervention group that received educational sessions on case management, the process, and related practical activities in comparison to the control group (Liu et al 2010).…”