Student Physical Therapists' Attitudes Toward Working with Elderly Patients

Abstract

Although attitudinal studies of health care providers toward elderly patients have been done in the past, this study is unique in that it simultaneously addresses student physical therapists' attitudes toward the elderly, their attitudes toward working with elderly patients, and their attitudes toward a variety of work environments. Students (n = 190) enrolled in 3 physical therapy programs in one state completed a 4-page questionnaire that consisted of the Kogan Scale, the modified Coren scale, attitudes toward different work environments, and demographic and cur-ricular information. Data were analyzed using descriptive, ANOVA and multiple regression techniques. Taking a class in geriatrics did not result in higher scores on the Kogan or Coren scale. Out of ten possible work environments, a Nursing Home ranked 9th. Students more positively identifying the nursing home as an enjoyable place to work scored higher on the Coren scale and had experienced a predominantly geriatric clinical affiliation per OLS regression. Curricular innovations, including geriatric clinical experiences, may be necessary to graduate students who are both skilled and motivated to provide care to elderly patients in nursing homes and other primarily geriatric settings.

Key Words:

• Geriatrics
• gerontology
• clinical affiliations
• education

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Melissa M. Tovin

Jennifer R. Johnson was a graduate student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Houston, TX at the time of this study. She is currently employed as an Occupational Therapist at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, LA

Debra Stewart is Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University and staff therapist at Erinoak Centre, Missis-sauga, Ontario. She is currently completing a MSc (Design, Measurement and Evaluation) at McMaster University.

Ronald L. Mace (deceased, June 29, 1998) was also affiliated with The Center for Universal Design, School of Design, North Carolina University.

Lois Rosage and Geraldine Shaw are Occupational Therapist Consultants who provide evaluations for the housing programs at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.