MDT Summit Day 1 Session 3 - Laura Mosqueda, MD, FAAFP, AGSF

Why It Matters

Embedding person‑centered, trauma‑informed methods in MDTs raises the effectiveness of elder‑abuse investigations, leading to higher prosecution rates and better protection for vulnerable seniors.

Key Takeaways

• Person‑centered care prioritizes values, preferences of older victims
• Trauma‑informed MDTs improve evidence collection for elder abuse
• Adoption leads to higher prosecution success rates
• Training enhances interdisciplinary communication and trust
• Outcomes focus on victim safety and legal accountability

Pulse Analysis

Elder‑abuse cases have surged as the population ages, prompting policymakers and service providers to seek more nuanced interventions. Traditional, one‑size‑fits‑all models often overlook the psychological scars that trauma inflicts on seniors, reducing cooperation and compromising evidence integrity. Person‑centered care—rooted in respecting each victim’s values, goals, and cultural context—offers a remedy by fostering trust and encouraging disclosure. When combined with trauma‑informed principles, it equips multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) with a framework that balances clinical empathy with investigative rigor, a synergy increasingly demanded by courts and advocacy groups.

Within MDTs, person‑centered practices translate into concrete workflow changes: intake forms now capture personal preferences, care plans are co‑created with victims, and communication protocols emphasize active listening. These adjustments streamline coordination among healthcare providers, social workers, law enforcement, and legal counsel, reducing duplication and miscommunication. Data from pilot programs indicate that such integration yields richer, more admissible evidence, faster case resolution, and higher victim satisfaction. Moreover, training modules that embed these principles improve interdisciplinary cohesion, ensuring that each stakeholder understands the victim’s narrative and the legal thresholds required for successful prosecution.

The broader implications extend beyond individual cases. As jurisdictions adopt person‑centered, trauma‑informed MDTs, we can expect a ripple effect on funding allocations, compliance standards, and technology investments—particularly in electronic health records that flag elder‑abuse risk factors. Enhanced outcomes bolster public confidence in the justice system and may drive legislative reforms that mandate victim‑focused protocols. For organizations operating at the intersection of health and law, embracing these practices not only mitigates risk but also positions them as leaders in a market increasingly valuing ethical, outcome‑driven care.

Original Description

Best Outcomes for Whom?:

The Application of Person-Centered Practices to MDTs Related to trauma-informed practices, person-centered practices ensure that individual’s values and preferences are elicited and once expressed, guide all aspects of their care. In this session, attendees will learn about the foundational principles of person-centered practices, their applicability to MDTs, followed by a discussion of an MDT’s adoption of person-centered practices and the benefits accrued to older victims and ultimately, elder abuse investigations and prosecutions.