Developing the Emergency Department Elder Mistreatment Assessment Tool for Social Workers Using a Modified Delphi Technique. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Elder mistreatment is common and has serious consequences. The emergency department (ED) may provide a unique opportunity to detect this mistreatment, with social workers often asked to take the lead in assessment and intervention. Despite this, social workers may feel ill-equipped to conduct assessments for potential mistreatment, due in part to a lack of education and training. As a result, the authors created the Emergency Department Elder Mistreatment Assessment Tool for Social Workers (ED-EMATS) using a multiphase, modified Delphi technique with a national group of experts. This tool consists of both an initial and comprehensive component, with 11 and 17 items, respectively. To our knowledge, this represents the first elder abuse assessment tool for social workers designed specifically for use in the ED. The hope is that the ED-EMATS will increase the confidence of ED social workers in assessing for elder mistreatment and help ensure standardization between professionals.

publication date

  • May 27, 2020

Research

keywords

  • Delphi Technique
  • Elder Abuse
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Mass Screening
  • Social Workers
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC8454199

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85085537083

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1177/0733464802021001002

PubMed ID

  • 31984415

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 45

issue

  • 2