The geriatric obstacle course: A training session designed to help prehospital personnel recognize geriatric stereotypes and misconceptions

Fleisher, Felice I.; White, Lynn J.; McMullen, M.J.; Chambers, Rita

doi:10.1016/0736-4679(96)00081-9

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Some of the challenges associated with care of the elderly include altered mentation, atypical presentation of diseases, complex pharmacological interactions and the increased likelihood of co-morbidities (12). Specific communication barriers may lead to the inability or failure of patients to report their symptoms and to provide accurate, consistent medical history (12). Ultimately, this can make prehospital assessment difficult and frustrating and thus influence attitudes of healthcare providers (5).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Elderly patients have complex and diverse needs and are often prone to the cumulative effects of multiple chronic diseases and disability (8,10,11). Some of the challenges associated with care of the elderly include altered mentation, atypical presentation of diseases, complex pharmacological interactions and the increased likelihood of co-morbidities (12). Specific communication barriers may lead to the inability or failure of patients to report their symptoms and to provide accurate, consistent medical history (12).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Student Paramedic Attitudes towards the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ross

Duigan

Boyle

et al. 2014

Australasian Journal of Paramedicine

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IntroductionIt is well known that Australia has an aging population and that the elderly are disproportionately overrepresented in the patients seen by ambulance paramedics. While research to date has primarily focussed on the attitudes towards the elderly held by nursing and medical students, there is a current paucity of research about the perspective of paramedic students. The objective of this study was to identify the attitudes of paramedic students from a large Australian university towards the elderly.MethodsIn 2013, second year paramedic students from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study and record their attitudes towards the elderly (age >65) using the Aging Semantic Differential (ASD) questionnaire. The ASD utilises a 7 point bipolar Likert scale questionnaire consisting of 32 items and three subscales: Instrument—Ineffective; Autonomous—Dependent; Personal Acceptability—Unacceptability.ResultsFifty six second year paramedic students participated in the study. The participants were predominantly <26 years of age n=48 (85.7%) and female n=36 (64.3%). Subscale results produced the following mean scores: Instrument—Ineffective (mean=35.05, SD=5.01); Autonomous—Dependent (mean=34.25, SD=4.26); Personal Acceptability—Unacceptability (mean=49.47, SD=6.44).ConclusionThese results suggest that while student paramedics possess a healthy respect for the elderly, they also harbour some preconceived negative ideas about them. Ultimately, these attitudes may impact on a paramedic’s interaction with, and management of the elderly patient, which raises questions about whether students are being adequately prepared for clinical practice.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%