Attitudes of medical students and residents toward care of the elderly

Abstract

The research reported in this article examined attitudes toward the care of the elderly between and among medical students and residents in training. Data were collected with a 16-item attitude questionnaire. Participants were medical students in their introduction period (prior to clinical experience) and residents of the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital to answer. There was no difference in the attitudes toward the care for the elderly between medical students and residents. Prior exposure to the elderly may have an influence on attitudes toward the care of the elderly. The geriatric curriculum should be developed to correct misunderstandings and improve the attitudes of the students and residents.