DETECT-RPC Screening for Elder Abuse
(DETECT-RPC Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests a new screening tool called DETECT-RPC to determine if it helps healthcare providers better identify elder mistreatment during home visits. The goal is to assess whether using this tool increases the reporting of abuse among seniors receiving home-based primary care. Participants must be 60 or older and already receiving home-based care from a clinician involved in the study. The trial will compare results between groups using the tool and those who do not. The study aims to improve safety and care for older adults. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the opportunity to contribute to important research that could enhance the safety and well-being of seniors.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that the DETECT-RPC screening tool is safe for use in primary care?
Research shows that the DETECT-RPC screening tool helps identify elder mistreatment in emergency care settings. No reports have indicated harm or negative effects from using this tool. It provides a safe and easy method for healthcare workers to spot signs of abuse in older adults. The trial phase is marked as "Not Applicable," indicating that the tool itself poses no safety concerns, as it is neither a drug nor an invasive procedure. The goal is to enhance the detection of elder mistreatment without introducing any physical risks to participants.1
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the DETECT-RPC screening tool because it offers a fresh approach to identifying elder abuse right in primary care settings. Unlike traditional methods, which often rely on self-reporting or visible signs, DETECT-RPC empowers emergency care technicians with a systematic way to spot potential mistreatment. This proactive tool aims to catch issues early, potentially improving outcomes for vulnerable seniors by ensuring they get the help they need sooner.
What evidence suggests that the DETECT-RPC screening tool is effective for increasing elder mistreatment reporting?
Research has shown that the DETECT-RPC screening tool can effectively identify elder mistreatment. In past studies, emergency care workers using this tool detected more cases of elder abuse. It guides healthcare providers through a series of questions to identify signs of mistreatment, ensuring that important signs are not overlooked. This trial will compare two groups: one using the DETECT-RPC screening tool and another without it. The tool aims to improve reporting rates by making it easier for healthcare providers to identify possible abuse cases that might otherwise go unnoticed.1
Who Is on the Research Team?
Michael B Cannell, PhD,MPH
Principal Investigator
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for clinicians who provide home-based primary care at least part-time to patients in partner programs. It's not specified who can't join, but typically those not involved in such care would be excluded.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants are either screened using the DETECT-RPC tool or not, to evaluate its impact on reporting elder mistreatment
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for the number of reports of elder mistreatment and mortality
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Detection of Elder mistreatment Through Emergency Care Technicians-Revised for Primary Care (DETECT-RPC) screening tool
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborator