| Description |
The abuse of older adults is a significant public health issue that often goes undetected, particularly in rural healthcare settings. This study examined the barriers to routine elder abuse screening among healthcare providers in a rural community in Southeastern Utah. Guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM), the mixed-method study explored provider practices, perceptions, and systemic obstacles through a combination of quantitative survey items and open-ended qualitative responses. Thirty healthcare providers participated in the study, representing approximately 14% of licensed providers in the region. Quantitative data revealed wide variability in screening practices, with less than half of participants reporting regular screening and limited familiarity with standardized screening tools. Confidence in identifying abuse was moderate overall. Content analysis of 95 qualitative responses identified five key themes: Benefits to Screening, Provider-Level Barriers to Screening, Socio-Cultural Barriers to Screening, Policy and Practice Changes, and Additional Resources Needed. These themes were mapped to core HBM constructs, highlighting the influence of perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action on screening behavior. Findings suggest that despite recognizing the importance of elder abuse screening, many rural providers face logistical, emotional, and structural challenges that limit routine practice. Providers emphasized the need for clearer screening protocols, enhanced education and training, and system-level support such as workflow integration and reimbursement incentives. This study underscores the complexity of screening in rural care and offers insights to inform policy, practice, and future research aimed at improving the safety and well-being of older adults. |
