Attitudes Towards Working with Older Patients: Physiotherapists' Responses to Video Presentations of Post-Amputation Gait Training for an Older and a Younger Patient

Abstract

The relationship between physiotherapists' treatment intentions and their beliefs about and attitudes towards working with older patients was examined by means of their interview responses after watching two patient videos. Both videos showed post-amputation gait training, but one featured a younger patient and the other an older patient.

Analysis of the interview data suggests that some physiotherapists hold negative beliefs about older patients' motivation and rehabilitation potential, which is associated with less intensive or less specific treatments being chosen for this group. Therapists with negative attitudes towards working with older patients believe there is less of a challenge when working with this group.