Investigating British General Practitioners' Knowledge and Experience of Elder Abuse: Report of a Research Study in an Inner London Borough

ABSTRACT

Despite the involvement of the medical profession in drawing attention to elder abuse, no research has been conducted in Britain about their experience with the problem. This article is based on a study undertaken in 1996 in the inner London borough of Tower Hamlets. All general medical practitioners (GPs) working in the community were asked about their knowledge and experience of elder abuse; 73 GPs responded, a 68% response rate. One particular aspect of the study is described, both for its methodological interest and for its findings. It involved asking respondents about twenty situations of suspected elder abuse; 84% (61 GPs) had an older patient in at least one of these situations.