UK medical students lack adult abuse training
14:31 - 16/06/2010
UK medical students lack adult abuse ...
A recent survey of UK medical schools revealed that a significant number do not teach students about elder abuse, despite growing concerns surrounding the issue of adult safeguarding.
The study was led by researchers at the University of Nottingham and has been published in the journal, Age and Ageing. It was carried out in order to assess what UK medical undergraduates are being taught about ageing and geriatric medicine and the ways in which these lessons are delivered.
There are 31 medical schools throughout the UK and 17 responded to the survey. The results showed that most of these schools taught students about the major areas of geriatric medicine, including dementia, stroke, osteoporosis, Parkinsonism and incontinence, but less than half provided formal teaching on the subject of elder abuse.
These figures are especially concerning in view of the fact that around 20% of older people treated in emergency departments report experience of abuse. Further to this, a document penned by the General Medical Council, which details the knowledge and skills that students should learn while at medical school, explicitly refers to the ‘abuse of the vulnerable patient’.
Of the 8 schools that do provide formal teaching on elder abuse, only 5 of these carry out assessments to gauge student understanding of the issue and their ability to recognise and respond to cases.
Adam Gordon, lead researcher said: “In view of the fact that older people make up the largest single group of patients using the NHS, with almost two-thirds of general and acute hospital beds in use by people over 65, it is essential that all medical undergraduates learn about ageing and the appropriate management of older people. This must include recognition of elder abuse and knowing what action to take.”
Charlotte Potter, Head of Quality and Curriculum, says: “Adult safeguarding is a very important and hotly contended issue at the moment. Anyone involved in health and social care should have a basic awareness of adult safeguarding principles so it is concerning that many students lack access to this type of training.
“The Department of Health’s “No Secrets” policy prescribes that all agencies or organisations that have any involvement with vulnerable adults have a responsibility to train staff in the area of adult abuse, commensurate to their job requirements.”
Our Adult Abuse Awareness training course meets and exceeds Skills for Care Common Induction Standards and covers, among other key areas, the relevant legislation, definitions and forms of abuse and carer responsibilities.
For further information about this course, or any of the training that we offer, please contact us today.
The study was led by researchers at the University of Nottingham and has been published in the journal, Age and Ageing. It was carried out in order to assess what UK medical undergraduates are being taught about ageing and geriatric medicine and the ways in which these lessons are delivered.
There are 31 medical schools throughout the UK and 17 responded to the survey. The results showed that most of these schools taught students about the major areas of geriatric medicine, including dementia, stroke, osteoporosis, Parkinsonism and incontinence, but less than half provided formal teaching on the subject of elder abuse.
These figures are especially concerning in view of the fact that around 20% of older people treated in emergency departments report experience of abuse. Further to this, a document penned by the General Medical Council, which details the knowledge and skills that students should learn while at medical school, explicitly refers to the ‘abuse of the vulnerable patient’.
Of the 8 schools that do provide formal teaching on elder abuse, only 5 of these carry out assessments to gauge student understanding of the issue and their ability to recognise and respond to cases.
Adam Gordon, lead researcher said: “In view of the fact that older people make up the largest single group of patients using the NHS, with almost two-thirds of general and acute hospital beds in use by people over 65, it is essential that all medical undergraduates learn about ageing and the appropriate management of older people. This must include recognition of elder abuse and knowing what action to take.”
Charlotte Potter, Head of Quality and Curriculum, says: “Adult safeguarding is a very important and hotly contended issue at the moment. Anyone involved in health and social care should have a basic awareness of adult safeguarding principles so it is concerning that many students lack access to this type of training.
“The Department of Health’s “No Secrets” policy prescribes that all agencies or organisations that have any involvement with vulnerable adults have a responsibility to train staff in the area of adult abuse, commensurate to their job requirements.”
Our Adult Abuse Awareness training course meets and exceeds Skills for Care Common Induction Standards and covers, among other key areas, the relevant legislation, definitions and forms of abuse and carer responsibilities.
For further information about this course, or any of the training that we offer, please contact us today.
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