Radiologists see potential in training to ID elder abuse

In a recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology, researchers note that 10 percent of elderly U.S. adults experience mistreatment each year. Although radiologists don’t have specific training in detecting and identifying elder abuse, the interest in learning has been steadily increasing.

When it comes to child abuse detection, radiologists play a large part in identifying injury patterns that suggest intentional injury rather than accident. Although there have been opportunities for elders to receive the same type of attention, radiology research, training or practice has not focused on it.

The study that was supported by the National Institute on Aging included interviews with 19 radiologists. Two radiologists reported that they had received training in elder abuse detection, while others believed they had missed cases of elder abuse. However, among all of them, each one reported interest in receiving extra training in the subject area.

“There's very little research that examines injury patterns or imaging correlates in elder abuse," said Tony Rosen, study coauthor and emergency physician at Weill Cornell Medical College in a press release. "Additionally, for various reasons including age-related osteopenia, use of anticoagulant medications, and the frequency of accidental injuries from falls, elder abuse is often not easy to spot.”

Kieran Murphy, study coauthor and radiology professor at the University of Toronto, added, "Geriatric patients, particularly those with acute injuries, commonly undergo radiographic imaging as part of their medical evaluation, so radiologists may be well-positioned to raise suspicion for mistreatment."

Now with the information in hand, the research team is looking to conduct future studies on this topic.

"Radiologists are a core part of the medical team in child abuse cases, so why shouldn't they be a core part of the team in elder abuse?" asked Rosen.