Content and analysis of a knowledge translation activity for an elder abuse detection tool: a descriptive study

Mark J Yaffe

doi:10.1186/s12877-021-02402-8

Abstract

BackgroundKnowledge translation (KT) is challenging to carry out and assess. The content of a program developed to foster KT activities pertaining to the Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI)©, a tool to help identify elder abuse, is described, along with reporting and analysis of some of its outcomes.MethodsEnquiries about the use of the EASI were encouraged through completion of a structured questionnaire available on an EASI website. These were submitted by email and guided individualized responses. Descriptive data collated anonymously from the questionnaires described in aggregate corresponders’ occupations, countries of work, information needs about the tool, and intent of use. The processes that generated this data were evaluated as to whether they conformed to established elements of KT.ResultsOne hundred thirty-eight queries were received over 6 years coming from enquirers with 12 different professional backgrounds, working in 25 countries. The information sought aimed to facilitate EASI use in clinical, quality improvement, public health, research, teaching, KT, and commercial ventures.ConclusionsThis activity, incorporating recognized elements of a KT undertaking, documents specific global interests in elder abuse detection. It suggests a model for researchers to gauge interest in their findings and to promote exchange around them.

Highlights

Mistreatment of older adults is a social issue, and a cause of their premature morbidity and mortality [1] and increased utilization of hospital emergency and in-patient services [2]
Within the research community a common means for assessing Knowledge translation (KT) and extent of impact of specifc works is use of citation indices which identify and record the number of times a particular work is referred to in another publication [20]. Given that such an approach has limitations, the objective of this paper was to explore, using a specific research-generated elder abuse detection tool as the subject of interest, whether other KT activities could be developed that promote exchange and information sharing, and inform about who is interested in the subject and for what purpose
This paper addresses what was found in the subsequent analysis, as well as implications for Knowledge Translation in the field of Elder Abuse

Summary

Introduction

Mistreatment of older adults is a social issue, and a cause of their premature morbidity and mortality [1] and increased utilization of hospital emergency and in-patient services [2]. Understanding the complexity of elder abuse manifestations, detection, management, and possible prevention appears to increasingly depend on translational research. The latter aims to ensure that knowledge generated by research reaches the. At a national level KT is seen in activities of government agencies such as the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [11] and non-governmental organizations such as the Canadian Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse [12] and the National Center on Elder Abuse in the U.S [13]. In the U.S the 2013 Forum on Global Violence Prevention of the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council of the National Academies [14] and the 2015 National Institute on Aging Conference on Undertsanding and Preventing Elder Abuse [15] are examples of this. The content of a program developed to foster KT activities pertaining to the Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI)©, a tool to help identify elder abuse, is described, along with reporting and analysis of some of its outcomes

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion