Conceptions and perceptions of health professionals about violence against the elderly: An integrative review

This study aims to identify how health professionals' conceptions and perceptions about violence against the elderly. It is an integrative literature review, with searches in the databases: MEDLINE, SciELO and LILACS, delimiting period from 2010 to 2020. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 studies remained elected. The studies portrayed the professionals' perceptions about violence against the elderly in the following categories: definition and types of violence; the identification and perception of situations of violence; the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of professionals about the problem; the actions developed and the professional approach; notifications, notifications and legislation; education and training; notification barriers; specificity of the quandary in health services; the role of professionals in prevention; the care inherent in old age; risk factors for violence; as personal experiences; and the variables that predict knowledge, attitudes and behaviour concerning violence. This study highlights a complexity inherent to the conceptions and perceptions of health professionals about the theme. Although gaps in this understanding persist, a search for the guarantee of protection and quality of life for this population must continue.