Title : The effectiveness of educational intervention in improving Healthcare Professionals’ knowledge and recognition towards elder abuse: Systematic review and Meta-Analysis of randomized controlled trials
Abstract:
Elder abuse is widespread but underreported. Frontline health workers are lack of sufficient protocols or experience to identify, handle, and report elder abuse. Developing new curriculum using published literature as a guide continues to be a challenge. Interpretation of the educational program described in randomized controlled studies (RCTs) on elder abuse intervention can provide a guide on new program planning to increase knowledge, improve case-finding and cooperation. This systematic review summarizes and assesses the evidence for educational interventions that increase knowledge and recognition of elder abuse. Framework analysis was used to integrate data from the retrieved documents. The total number of papers read in full was 47, and 5 were included in the review. Synthesis of results from the studies resulted in five main themes: 1) Knowledge improvement; 2) Ability to identify; 3) Meta-analysis on recognition; 4) Characteristics of programs; and 5) Outcome measurement. This systematic review synthesizes the literature on recognition of elder abuse. Elevation of immediate and longer-term outcomes of all interventions in all included studies were also determined. This review provides healthcare practitioners and aging service providers with educational intervention programs from past studies for future development of elder abuse training modules.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- Medical, health and social care professionals are in a very good position to detect and identify elder abuse cases, however, some may not be equipped with the necessary knowledge and awareness. It is thus important to enhance awareness of elder abuse among medical, health and social care professionals.
- This review summarized results from randomized controlled trials on education and training intervention to increase elder abuse awareness, thereby increasing timely detection of elder abuse.
- Curriculum, content, duration, mode of delivery, and outcome measurements of programs should be made available to facilitate use whenever possible.
Online digital intervention appears to be just as effective as face to face training programs. Given the greater flexibility and lesser cost involved in online intervention, digital intervention or blended intervention should be considered in future programs. Usage of online education as a viable alternative to the traditional face-to-face classroom format especially in global pandemic of COVID-19.
