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“It’s that gut feeling isn’t it”: general practitioner experiences of safeguarding in care homes for older people

“It’s that gut feeling isn’t it”: general practitioner experiences of safeguarding in care homes... General practitioners (GPs) play an important role in adult safeguarding. However, their experiences of this role have received scant attention in the UK and internationally. This study aimed to explore their experiences of safeguarding within care homes (CHs) for older adults where, as they are among the practitioner groups most frequently visiting, they are well-positioned to contribute to bringing abuse and neglect to light.Design/methodology/approachThis study involved qualitative methods. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 12 GPs to explore their experiences of safeguarding in CHs. This included the issues that prompted their concerns, actions taken in response, difficulties and dilemmas experienced, CH safeguarding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis was undertaken, taking an inductive approach to the analysis.FindingsGPs seldom witnessed what they considered clear signs of abuse/neglect, but instead more frequently observed “softer”, more ambiguous signs. They undertook a range of actions in response to these, in addition to formally reporting concerns. They experienced difficulties and dilemmas in respect of the hidden nature of abuse, uncertainty about the legitimacy of their concerns and thresholds for reporting, as well as dilemmas associated with the need to preserve essential working relationships with CHs, yet avoiding collusion with staff.Originality/valueAlthough GPs play an important role in identifying signs of abuse/neglect, this role has been little explored to date. Their safeguarding role within CHs has been especially neglected, and the authors are aware of no other studies that have explored GPs’ roles and experiences in this context, within or outwith the UK. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png The Journal of Adult Protection Emerald Publishing

“It’s that gut feeling isn’t it”: general practitioner experiences of safeguarding in care homes for older people

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References (41)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
1466-8203
eISSN
2042-8669
DOI
10.1108/jap-02-2024-0009
Publisher site
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Abstract

General practitioners (GPs) play an important role in adult safeguarding. However, their experiences of this role have received scant attention in the UK and internationally. This study aimed to explore their experiences of safeguarding within care homes (CHs) for older adults where, as they are among the practitioner groups most frequently visiting, they are well-positioned to contribute to bringing abuse and neglect to light.Design/methodology/approachThis study involved qualitative methods. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 12 GPs to explore their experiences of safeguarding in CHs. This included the issues that prompted their concerns, actions taken in response, difficulties and dilemmas experienced, CH safeguarding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis was undertaken, taking an inductive approach to the analysis.FindingsGPs seldom witnessed what they considered clear signs of abuse/neglect, but instead more frequently observed “softer”, more ambiguous signs. They undertook a range of actions in response to these, in addition to formally reporting concerns. They experienced difficulties and dilemmas in respect of the hidden nature of abuse, uncertainty about the legitimacy of their concerns and thresholds for reporting, as well as dilemmas associated with the need to preserve essential working relationships with CHs, yet avoiding collusion with staff.Originality/valueAlthough GPs play an important role in identifying signs of abuse/neglect, this role has been little explored to date. Their safeguarding role within CHs has been especially neglected, and the authors are aware of no other studies that have explored GPs’ roles and experiences in this context, within or outwith the UK.

Journal

The Journal of Adult Protection – Emerald Publishing

Published: Dec 4, 2024

Keywords: General practitioners; Care homes; Safeguarding; Elder abuse; Neglect; Multi-disciplinary relationships

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