Healthcare professionals are likely to come into contact with patients who have experienced violence or abuse. This training will educate healthcare providers and mental health workers on violence and abuse prevention. In this course, healthcare providers will learn about recognizing abuse in healthcare settings. Additionally, this course provides information on warning signs that could indicate violence or abuse.
The Recognizing Abuse and Violence Training for Healthcare Professionals will also educate healthcare personnel (HCP) on proper steps to take when responding to concerns of violence or abuse.
Overall, violence has become an increasingly common problem in the public health field. It affects not only healthcare workers, but other staff, patients, and families as well.
What you’ll learn
- Introduction to Abuse and Violence
- Child abuse and neglect
- Abuse and neglect prevention strategies
- How healthcare professionals can deal with abuse
Details
Course length: 30 minutes.
Languages: American English
Key features: Audio narration, learning activity, and post-assessment
ACCME Accreditation
American Medical Compliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education to physicians. Our Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is committed to enhancing the knowledge, skills, and professional performance of healthcare providers to improve patient care outcomes. Through high-quality educational activities, we aim to address the identified educational gaps and to support the continuous professional development of our medical community. American Medical Compliance designates this activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim this credit for their complete participation in this activity.
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Types of Abuse
Certain types of abuse are common in several healthcare settings. One such example of this is physical abuse. Physical abuse refers to the experience of illness or pain as a result of intentional physical force from another person.
Examples of physical abuse include hitting and kicking. This course also covers other types of abuse that healthcare professionals may come into contact with. These include sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and financial abuse.
Child Abuse and Neglect
Child abuse and neglect are both serious public health problems due to their potential to cause adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which can have severe impacts on health and well-being. Neglect and abuse can occur at the hands of a parent, caregiver, or another person responsible for the child at a given point in time. Child abuse can have severe consequences. For example, children may appear to have obvious physical injuries such as cuts or bruises. They also may display concerning psychological characteristics, such as impaired social skills or anxiety. If the effects of child abuse and neglect are left untreated, the child may experience detrimental health and well-being outcomes later in life. An example of this is how children who experience abuse are more likely to suffer severe injuries later in life. When abuse occurs chronically, the child may develop toxic stress. Toxic stress is an extremely dangerous level of distress that has the potential to alter brain development and increase the likelihood of developing mental disorders.
Signs of Child Abuse
Several signs may indicate that a child is being abused or neglected. Here are some examples:
Children may exhibit abrupt changes in their behaviors. Additionally, they may develop learning difficulties or struggle with concentrating. Some children are constantly on edge as if they are expecting some sort of punishment. An absent parent could also indicate neglect.
Children may become excessively attached to adults whom they feel they can trust and who are not their abusers. This may become apparent if a child regularly shows up early to appointments, or asks to remain even after the appointment has ended.
Parents who are guilty of abuse often appear unconcerned about their child’s wellbeing. They are likely to deny that abuse is occurring, even if it is. They might delay or deny medical treatments that would help the child. Additionally, if they use overly harsh punishment, this could be an indicator of abuse. Parents who act as if their child is useless are often guilty of abuse or neglect in some way.
How to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect
As a healthcare provider, it is important to understand your role in preventing child abuse and neglect. Be on the lookout for warning signs or red flags that may indicate that a child is being abused.
This course discusses several warning signs of abuse along with several strategies for addressing child abuse when it occurs. The CDC has also emphasized the importance of healthcare providers in preventing abuse and neglect by remaining actively involved within the community. Interventions can occur at the individual, family, community, or societal level.
Abuse Prevention Strategies
Violence is often connected to some other root cause. Child abuse and neglect is linked to violence that is associated with several risk factors. Addressing one aspect of abuse may have a positive impact on other areas of the child’s life. This training provides an in-depth explanation of several strategies that can be used to prevent child abuse. One such strategy is strengthening economic support for families because financial stress can be a risk factor associated with abuse. When households are more financially secure, there is a lower likelihood of abuse occurring.
Employers can also implement family-friendly work policies to place less stress on employees. Additionally, socially accepting positive parenting and other supportive parenting philosophies will have a profound impact on the child. This can be done through public campaigns or seminars. Legislative approaches could also inspire change.
Role of Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals must take victims seriously when they say they are being abused. The safety of the patient always comes first. This course provides information on what healthcare providers can do when they receive reports of abuse. For example, it is important to encourage the child to talk about their experiences.
Assure the child that they are safe and that they can trust you. Pay attention to what they tell you specifically. Don’t ask leading questions; instead, give the child the space to tell their truth.
Elder Abuse
Older adults are also a population that is vulnerable to abuse. Elder abuse is defined as intentionally causing harm or neglecting an older adult. This refers to adults aged 60 and older.
Elder abuse often occurs at the hands of a caregiver or other trusted person. There are several risk factors that can make an adult more likely to be abused.
Healthcare professionals can look out for these risk factors to help prevent elder abuse. This training will give specific details on the signs of elder abuse.
Prevention of Elder Abuse
Due to increased life expectancies, older adults have the potential for long, rich lives. Therefore, preventing elder abuse is crucial. Listen to older adults when they claim they are being abused. Report abuse to Adult Protective Services (APS) so that proper action can be taken. Educate yourself on the signs of abuse by taking courses such as this one.
Sexual Violence
Sexual violence is sexual activity that is not consensual. It has become a growing problem recently and has profound implications in the healthcare field. Sexual violence affects everyone, regardless of race, age, or gender.
