Taiwanese medical and nursing student interest levels in and attitudes towards geriatrics.
- Author:
Cheng Ching WANG
1
;
Wen Chun LIAO
;
Min Chen KAO
;
Yu Ju CHEN
;
Meng Chih LEE
;
Mei Fen LEE
;
Chi Hua YEN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Aged; Attitude of Health Personnel; Female; Humans; Male; Students, Medical; psychology; Students, Nursing; psychology; Taiwan
- From:Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2009;38(3):230-236
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
INTRODUCTIONTo investigate the attitudes of medical and nursing student towards the older Chinese population.
MATERIALS AND METHODSA reliable and valid Chinese language version of Kogan's Attitudes toward Older People (KAOP) with 17 matched item pairs (34 items) was completed by 275 medical and nursing students. Descriptive data analysis was employed.
RESULTSParticipants reported slightly to have a more positive attitudes (Mean, 144.30 +/- 17.89) than those reported from studies in other countries (Jordanian: Mean, 110.6 +/- 21.79). Students who were females (Mean, 148.27 +/- 18.97), younger (Mean, 146.01 +/- 18.59) and studying nursing (Mean, 156.86 +/- 17.56) were more likely to have a more positive attitudes than older (Mean, 140.04 +/- 15.31), males (Mean, 140.47 +/- 15.93), studying medicine (Mean, 138.77 +/- 15.04).
DISCUSSIONResults show that students may have greater ambivalence attitudes on 10 out of 17 matched item pairs which provides useful information for faculty involved in aged care curriculum design. Working as a volunteer in the university hospital may increase students' interactions with the elderly and may positively influence attitudes towards the elderly.
