Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Restraint Use in Aged Care

Bibliographic Data

ID15507972
AuthorsJuanita Breen (0000-0002-9932-9513, University of Tasmania, corresponding author), Barbara C Wimmer (0000-0003-3166-7126, University of Tasmania), C Smit (0000-0002-3037-5837, University of Tasmania), Helen Courtney-Pratt (University of Tasmania), Helen Courtney‐Pratt (0000-0002-6812-3360, University of Tasmania), Katherine Lawler (0000-0002-1484-1113, University of Tasmania), Katharine Salmon (0000-0001-7354-2159, University of Tasmania), Andrea Price (0000-0002-5359-053X, University of Tasmania), Lynette R Goldberg (0000-0002-8217-317X, University of Tasmania)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue21
Pages11022-11022
Publication date2021-10-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph182111022
PMID34769543
OpenAlexW3205623042
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited23

Restraint use in Australian residential aged care has been highlighted by the media, and investigated by researchers, government and advocacy bodies. In 2018, the Royal Commission into Aged Care selected 'Restraint' as a key focus of inquiry. Subsequently, Federal legislation was passed to ensure restraint is only used in residential aged care services as the 'last resort'. To inform and develop Government educational resources, we conducted qualitative research to gain greater understanding of the experiences and attitudes of aged care stakeholders around restraint practice. Semi-structured interviews were held with 28 participants, comprising nurses, care staff, physicians, physiotherapists, pharmacists and relatives. Two focus groups were also conducted to ascertain the views of residential and community aged care senior management staff. Data were thematically analyzed using a pragmatic approach of inductive and deductive coding and theme development. Five themes were identified during the study: 1. Understanding of restraint; 2. Support for legislation; 3. Restraint-free environments are not possible; 4. Low-level restraint; 5. Restraint in the community is uncharted. Although most staff, health practitioners and relatives have a basic understanding of restraint, more education is needed at a conceptual level to enable them to identify and avoid restraint practice, particularly 'low-level' forms and chemical restraint. There was strong support for the new restraint regulations, but most interviewees admitted they were unsure what the legislation entailed. With regards to resources, stakeholders wanted recognition that there were times when restraint was necessary and advice on what to do in these situations, as opposed to unrealistic aspirations for restraint-free care. Stakeholders reported greater oversight of restraint in residential aged care but specified that community restraint use was largely unknown. Research is needed to investigate the extent and types of restraint practice in community aged care

Commission · Focus group · Government (linguistics · Health care · Legislation · Medical education · Political science · Public relations · Qualitative research · Sociology · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes · Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints · Medicine · Nursing · Psychiatric care and mental health services · Psychology