Exploring Nurses' Perception of Abuse by Dementia Patients

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Name of the student
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Author note

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Introduction:
Nurses working in the neurological department have to face an array of issues where
violence or aggression by dementia patient is one of the common issues. The current estimation
by the world health organization suggested that this number will reach 14 million in 2050 (Sharp,
Moore & McLaws, 2019). However, it is often observed that in the majority of cases, the nurses
experience physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, violence as well as verbal form of
abuse. Aggression occurs in 50% of patients who are diagnosed with dementia which is not only
associated with rapid cognitive decline but also increase the burden and risk of abuse in
caregiver (Andela, Truchot & Huguenotte, 2018). This issue is crucial to investigate because
15% of dementia patients are more prone to show aggression towards their caregiver (Mkhonto
& Hanssen, 2018). While scientist has noted down job burnout, frequent absentees, the
discrepancy in practice, frequent medication error and exposure to high psychological distress in
caregiver, very little research has been undertaken which explored the perception nurses
regarding the experience they encounter while providing care to the dementia patients (Joung, S.
A., & Park, 2016).. Gain an understanding of the perception of the nurses, in this case, is crucial
since it will help to develop strategies for coming up with the situation (Heo & Lee, 2018).. A
Conceptual framework has been developed for these issues where the common guiding
component would be a therapeutic relationship, the psychological distress of nurses, and
incorporation of family members, trust and respect along with the component (Blackstock et al.
2015). Here dependent variable is the abuse by nurses which is depending on the independent
variables discussed above. Hence, with the help of the existing research, undertaking qualitative
study will provide nurses with the opportunity to share their concern, identify the issues and

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
recommendation. This paper will provide a research proposal for undertaking qualitative study
for the chosen issue.
Study aim:
The aim of the study is to explore the perception of nurse regarding the abuse they
experience because of dementia patients and also to gain the recommendation that they think
would be effective to implement immediately for their physical and mental wellbeing. This study
would be guided by the research question, “what is the perception of nurses regarding their abuse
they encounter by dementia patients?”
Objective:
• To know the perception of the nurses regarding the abuse they experience by a dementia
patient
• To identify the reason behind the abused by dementia patient from the perception of the
nursing
• To recommend the possible means to imp; element in the health care in order to
overcome this problem.
Literature review:
Nurses caring patients with dementia in acute care setting care often lack specialization in
geriatric nurses (Laeeque et al., 2016). The researchers documented that the environment of
acute care is not appropriate to align with the quality of care dementia should receive which
further contribute to the abuse by dementia patients. As discussed by Blackstock et al. (2016),
the aggression in dementia patient is a common phenomenon because of the physical discomfort

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
faced by patients. In the majority of the cases, the nurses are unable to provide accurate care
according to the individual need which resulted in physical and mental discomfort followed by
aggression violence and emotional abuse. To explore the nursing perception, Cooke Day and
Mulcahy (2019), conducted a qualitative study by involving public health nurses in Ireland who
are handling the elder adults who are suffering from dementia. The researchers a semi-structured
interview where focus groups were public health nurses and open-ended questions were used in
order to explore the perception of the nurses regarding the reason behind abuse by nurses. The
analysis of data generated into three themes such as hidden abusive relationship, isolation and
complexity of the disease. The result suggested that the majority of the dementia patients are
aggressive because of the poor communication between patient and caregiver, uncomfortable
environment and isolation of patient by nurses. A significant number of patients are clueless
regarding the signs and symptoms of the disease and the reason behind their cognitive decline.
Therefore, in such cases, they lack empowerment, confidence, and self-esteem which nurses or
caregivers are required to boost by meeting individual needs. If nurses failed to meet the
individual criteria then patients exhibit the response such as violence, aggression and physical
abuse. The research also identified the care and time invested by health professionals also plays
a crucial role in identifying the contributing factors behind the abuse. Majority of nurses lack the
time to treat patients with empathy which result in satisfaction in care received by a patient that
further manifested as aggression and violence. The strength of the study is that the researchers
have undertaken qualitative research such as semi-structured interview which is a most suitable
form of research design to gain the understanding of factual data along with the knowledge
values and beliefs of the nurses. The limitation of the study the sample size is inadequate to
explore the perception of nurses regarding the abuse encountered in the acute care setting by