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| Titre de l’article | Undergraduate physiotherapy students’ attitudes toward older patients in French-speaking Switzerland |
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| Code d’article | P02 |
| Auteurs | |
| Forme de présentation | Poster |
| Domaines thématiques |
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| Résumé (Abstract) |
Introduction: With the population ageing and associated increase of chronic diseases, there is a need of training efforts in geriatrics and gerontology within physiotherapy schools. This would positively influence the attitudes and behaviours towards older people as well as aging stereotypes in the exercises domain since physical activity is highly recommended for all ages and in presence of chronic symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes of undergraduate physiotherapy students in French-speaking Switzerland towards older people. Methods: Knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes of 228 undergraduate physiotherapy students (56% female, mean age 23 years, in the first [N=100], second [N=79], and third [N=49] year) towards older people were evaluated using a battery of questionnaires including the geriatrics attitudes scale (UCLA-GAS-F), aging stereotypes and exercise scale (ASES), facts on aging quiz (FAQ), and anxiety about aging scale (AAS) together with sociodemographic characteristics, experience in geriatrics, and career interest in geriatrics. Results: The mean score of the UCLA-GAS-F was in the positive range (49.6 ±6.1) with no significant difference between the study levels. As study level increased, there was a tendency towards increase in mean ASES scores (64.4 ±7.0). Concerning the knowledge quiz on ageing and older adults (FAQ), 45.8% of the answers were correct, 20.8% wrong and 34.7% were "I do not know". Scores of AAS reflected high levels of fear or anxiety about aging (72.3 ±8.6) for all respondents. Only one third of the respondents wanted to deepen their knowledge in the field of geriatrics after graduation but two thirds intend to work with elderly people even if their work preference (87% of respondents) is to work with younger adults (below 65 years old) after graduation. Discussion: Students’ attitude towards older people as well as regarding exercise-related aging was positive in this study. Even if all undergraduate students complete geriatrics internships and are willing to work with older patients in the future, it is not their work preference yet. Therefore, for educational institutions, there is a need to improve undergraduate students’ knowledge and skills in the field of gerontology, to reduce their lack of understanding about aging and to support their career interest for geriatrics which currently represents at least 40% of the clinical caseload. |