Citation

Storey JE, Prashad AA. J. Elder Abuse Negl. 2018; 30(1): 42-63.

Affiliation

Fraser Health.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08946566.2017.1371092

PMID

28836898

Abstract

Abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults is a significant problem, the identification and management of which is increasingly being made the legal responsibility of healthcare professionals. In response, some jurisdictions have developed training to assist professionals in these duties. This study evaluates the ReAct Adult Protection Worker Basic Curriculum training from British Columbia, Canada. 157 participants, 109 training completers and 48 Non-completers, answered a survey evaluating their confidence, knowledge, and applied knowledge in identifying, reporting and investigating cases of suspected abuse, neglect and self-neglect of vulnerable adults. Comparisons of training Completers to Non-completers showed significant gains in Completers' perceived confidence and knowledge but no improvement in applied knowledge. The type of healthcare professional being trained and the length of training did not impact learner improvement. The results suggest ways in which both training and evaluation can be improved (e.g., supervised practice) to increase and detect gains in knowledge and practice.

Language: en

Keywords

Abuse and neglect prevention; adult protection; program evaluation; vulnerable adults