Elder Abuse Education Using Standardized Patient Simulation in an Undergraduate Nursing Program

With more than 1 million older adults being abused each year, it is imperative for nurses to be knowledgeable about signs and symptoms of elder abuse, assessment, and interventions. This article describes a three-part learning strategy consisting of lecture, simulation using standardized patients (SPs), and debriefing to educate prelicensure nursing students about how to identify, assess, and report elder abuse. Furthermore, the effects of the teaching strategies were assessed.

Students received a lecture on elder abuse, followed by a simulation with an SP and debriefing. Pre- and posttests were used to assess knowledge, skills, and attitudes about elder abuse.

Significant differences were found in pre- and posttest results for knowledge and skills. There were no significant differences in attitude. Teaching strategies affected learning, and students reported increased knowledge and skills in identifying abuse and advocating for vulnerable older adults.

Lecture and SP simulation followed by debriefing was an effective approach to educate prelicensure nursing students about elder abuse. [J Nurs Educ. 2020;59(6):331-335.].