Assessing barriers to the identification of elder abuse and neglect: a communitywide survey of primary care physicians.

Elder abuse and neglect represents an extensive medical and social problem in the United States with an estimated prevalence of 4-10% of older persons. Physicians are mandated to report suspected abuse, but <2% of Adult Protective Service reports are filed by physicians. A knowledge or attitude survey was mailed to all adult primary care physicians in the study community.