Health professionals' and students' perceptions of elder abuse

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to compare perceptions about elder abuse among health professionals and students in the same health disciplines. Methods: The Caregiving Scenario Questionnaire (CSQ) was disseminated to Australian health professionals from two metropolitan health services and to university health care students. Results: One hundred and twenty health professionals and 127 students returned surveys. Significantly more students than health professionals identified locking someone in the house alone all day and restraining someone in a chair as abusive. Conclusion: There is a need for further definition clarification and education about detection and management of elder abuse for health students and professionals in Australia. Student education should include consideration of the real-life situations likely to be encountered in practice. Education for both students and health professionals should include strategies for carers to manage difficult situations such as the one described in the CSQ. © 2012 The Authors Australasian Journal on Ageing © 2012 ACOTA.