Second pilot study of the Eldercaring Conflict Checklist (ECC)

 
Eldercaring coordination has developed as a dispute resolution option for families in high-conflict regarding the care and safety of an elder. The goal of eldercaring coordination is to complement other services, such as legal representation, and to “help manage high conflict family dynamics so that the elder, family, and stakeholders can address their non-legal issues independently from the court” (Fieldstone & Bronson, 2015).
 
In an attempt to better understand the factors that lead to high conflict within eldercaring conflicts, we completed a review of the literature and found several important factors.  One of the overall purposes of the project was to develop a valid and reliable tool to aid in the early assessment of services based on client needs.
 
The Eldercaring Conflict Checklist (ECC) is a checklist to aid in targeting interventions in eldercaring coordination and other processes. It is important to note that this tool should not replace a comprehensive screening of abuse and violence and it is not a diagnostic tool.
 
What we are asking of you

As a professional working with elders and families involved in disputes, you are requested to complete an online survey through “SurveyMonkey”. This software will ensure that all data retrieved from participants will be stored in a manner that protects confidentiality. SurveyMonkey utilizes security technology such as firewalls and data encryption to ensure the protection of data. 
 
The survey will take approximately 20-30 minutes of your time to complete.  There are no wrong answers. We do not intend for you to look up answers. We are asking you to read the case scenario, use the checklist to rate the case characteristics, and then provide general impressions about the tool.
 
For your information, we wish to disclose the following:
· We are not collecting, nor will we generate, any identifying information other than the aggregated frequencies of professions/occupations of the participants.
· All findings will be reported as aggregate data. 
· All responses will be confidential and anonymous 

There are no known risks for you to complete the survey.  The survey has been anonymized so that identifying information about you (e.g. IP address) will not be collected.  You can withdraw at any time by not completing the survey.  Given that this is an anonymous survey, we will not be able to exclude your partial responses from the aggregate data and reporting.  
 
There are no immediate benefits to you for participating in this study. Your participation will have a long-term benefit of helping to assess the conflict in older families within eldercaring coordination or another professional context. 

If you have any questions about how you have been treated as a research participant, please contact Rachel Zand, Director, Office of Research Ethics, rachelzand@utoronto.ca or 416-946 3389. 
 
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! 
 
Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at michael.saini@utoronto.ca if you want further information about the study, if you have questions or concerns about the study and/or you want an update on the progress of the study. You can also call directly at 416-946-5027 during normal business hours.
 
If you want any information on eldercaring coordination, please contact Linda Fieldstone at Lindafieldstone@outlook.com or Sue Bronson at Sbronson@wi.rr.com.
 
Thank you in advance for your help.

Michael Saini, PhD, MSW, RSW
Professor
FActor-Inwentash Chair in Law and Social Work
University of Toronto

michael.saini@utoronto.ca