ABUSE OF PATIENT

Abuse of Disable Person by Caregiver

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of abuse of disable patient in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on abuse of disable patient and its screening tools. The research also analyzes many aspects of abuse of disable patient and tries to gauge its effect on to identify the tools for screening.

Abuse of Disable Person by Caregiver

Introduction

Disabled person mistreatment is a complex and troublesome phenomenon and numerous barriers render has detection and management by health care providers particularly challenging. The community context presents unique barriers given the hidden nature of mistreatment of disabled people living with their caregivers. In order to overcome such challenges, a validated screening instrument that can provide a systematic assessment of those risk factors supported in the literature is required. Thus, this study aimed to validate the “e-IOA”, a screening instrument validated in Hebrew in a hospital setting. This study consisted of two phases: firstly, the content review and adaptation of the instrument by disabled mistreatment experts and secondly, the inter rater reliability assessment by community nurses providing care to patients in their homes. The adapted instrument, the 'RFEM' proved to be clearer, more representative and comprehensive of disabled mistreatment risk in the home setting. Almost all of the sub- indicators of the RFEM achieved acceptable inter rater agreement when tested with paper case scenarios of disabled mistreatment. Ills anticipated that this research will contribute to nursing practice as those nurses working with elders will be better equipped to assess risk of disabled mistreatment and to intervene by developing specific interventions to decrease or eliminate such risks.

Disabled mistreatment is the abuse and neglect of the patient with disability. When those most vulnerable in society are mistreated or at risk of mistreatment, whether they are elders, women, or children, early detection of risk of harm or of actual incidents is crucial. Unfortunately, many obstacles may be present when the victim is a person living in his home and the abuser is his caregiver. The complexity of disabled mistreatment, especially within the sacred context of the family setting, renders its identification inherently challenging for health care professionals. Understanding the complexity of screening for disabled mistreatment risk is both essential and timely by all professionals involved in the delivery of care to the patients.

The Problem

Disabled mistreatment is an escalating societal problem and some experts predict it could reach epidemic proportions. Compounding factors such as the demographic changes of our aging population, lack of caregivers, as well as scarce financial and human resources in health care and social services make screening for risk of disabled mistreatment a compelling objective. Screening permits early identification and intervention therefore possibly preventing actual mistreatment or further escalation. One key health care professional ideally positioned to detect risk of disabled mistreatment is the community visiting nurse. As registered professionals governed by regulatory bodies, nurses are professionally and ethically responsible to ensure clients' health and well ...