Guardianship patient characteristics and outcomes in geriatric social work practice: Australian context. (21st October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jackman, Matthew; McDermott, Fiona; Sadler, Jacinta; El Hage, Nicole; Lee, Halim
• Is Part Of: Social work in health care. Volume 60:Number 8/9(2021)
• Page Start: 614
• Page End: 630
• Publication Date: 2021-10-21
• Subjects: Guardianship -- geriatric social work -- older patient -- patient characteristic -- patient outcome; Medical social work -- Periodicals; 362.10425
• DOI: 10.1080/00981389.2021.1990189
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0098-1389

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study explored the patient characteristics and outcomes in relation to guardianship in a large-scale sub-acute Australian hospital. Fifteen patients who appointed a guardian at The Kingston Center, Monash Health, participated through exploratory data collection and analysis utilizing a de-identifiable template. The findings revealed both diverse and complex patient characteristics, and ethical dilemmas in patient outcomes for social workers. Patient outcomes post-guardianship appointment and discharge highlighted a negative impact from long length of stay and the iatrogenic impact on patient wellbeing in hospital. The study reflected a disparity between patients' discharge goals and their outcomes indicating significant ethical dilemmas and complexities for social workers in ensuring rights to autonomy and responsibility for safety are balanced.