Cross-Cultural Comparison of Attitudes and Preferences for Care of the Elderly Among Australian and Chinese Nursing Students

Abstract

Cross-cultural comparison of attitudes and preferences for care of the elderly among Australian and Chinese nursing students.

Survey of attitude towards and understanding of the elderly amongst Chinese undergraduate medical students

“…Lambrinou et al [15] found that older people and women in Greece have a more positive attitude towards the elderly, which is consistent with studies conducted in Switzerland [16] and China [18]. A previous study indicated that nursing students in China (72.1%) are more willing to take care of the elderly than nursing students in Australia (45.3%) [19]. Together these reports indicate that there is room for better attitudes toward and knowledge of the elderly among professional medical personnel.…”

Student nurses' motivation to choose gerontological nursing as a career in China: A survey study

“…The distinction may be the result of national cultural differences (Hofstede Greert, 1984). Xiao et al found that the percentage of students more likely to care for older adults was significantly higher in the Chinese group (72.1%) than that in the Australian group (45.3%) (Xiao et al, 2013). An aging society might also be a contributor.…”

“…Student nurses' attitudes toward older adults may also affect their view of gerontological nursing and their career goals. Ageist attitudes and prejudices against older adults were identified as barriers preventing students from choosing gerontological nursing (Shen and Xiao, 2012;Xiao et al, 2013).…”

The Barriers and Strategies of Communication among Student Nurses during Cross-Cultural Nursing Care Practice

“…However, they experienced the difficulties when trying to communicate with patients when they did not speak the same language. Other authors have identified the anxiety nurses experience when they are unable to communicate effectively with patients and this observation is endorsed by student nurses in the current study (Kai et al, 2007 ;Seale et al, 2013;Kratzke and Bertolo, 2013 ;Xiao et al, 2013). Kai et al (2007) identified the professional uncertainty and disempowerment that qualified nurses and other healthcare professionals experience in cross-cultural care encounters due to a perceived ignorance of cultural differences.…”

“…The result of some studies also showed that engaging students first hand with a new cultural group in a class simulation exercise was essenfial to enhance their cultural competence. Students learned how their attitudes may influence their perceptions about cultural differences (Kratzke and Bertolo, 2013 ;Xiao et al, 2013).…”