Collective Perceptions of Aging and Older Persons Held by Students From Eight Healthcare Professions

Abstract

In order to increase the number of students entering the geriatric workforce, an understanding of factors influencing career preference and what may prevent students from pursuing geriatric careers is necessary. Using a convergent parallel mixed methods approach, the aim of this study was to provide insight for geriatric educators regarding the collective perceptions of aging and older persons held by 864 students from eight healthcare professions. Quantitative questions assessed students’ attitudes (Geriatric Attitudes Scale). Student responses to four open-ended questions were assessed using conventional content analysis. Results included rich narrative examples of healthcare professions students’ perceptions and understanding of the aging process, as well as myths and misconceptions of aging and older persons that can be used to inform geriatric curricula across multiple health professions training and education programs. Geriatric education is a critical avenue to correct misperceptions, quell ageism and address the current shortage in the geriatrician workforce.

“Everyone’s got a story”: Nursing and allied health students’ attitudes (interest, desire, and intent) to work with older adults on graduation

“…In turn, this links to the idea that all older adults are frail/sick and living in aged-care facilities, which is not perceived as an appealing environment to work in, with poor renumeration particularly bolstering this barrier. This is supported in recent work by Fisher et al (2022).…”

“…These negative feelings were based on fear of the age-associated physical and mental decline experienced by older adults. A link between negative self-perceptions of ageing and ageism has been previously reported (Fisher et al, 2022;Samra et al, 2017). Improving students' knowledge of the "normal" ageing process is warranted in changing these misconceptions (Samra et al, 2017).…”

“…Some responded in a negative way to their own ageing (e.g., feeling underappreciated or undervalued), whilst others responded in a more positive manner (e.g., older adults are interesting to talk to, have wisdom, and "everyone has a story"). Similarly, in health professional students from nursing, physical therapy, dietetics and social work, negative feelings towards one's own ageing and misconceptions of the ageing process are associated with low interest in working with older adults (Fisher et al, 2022). These negative feelings were based on fear of the age-associated physical and mental decline experienced by older adults.…”

“…Participants reflected on the challenges they would face working with older adults, and these reflections reiterated what has already been published. Factors such as declining health, frailty and cognitive changes that occur with increasing age made working with this population challenging and was a perceived barrier to wanting to work with older adults in the future (Eshbaugh et al, 2010;Fisher et al, 2022).…”