Physician confidence and interest in learning more about common geriatric topics: a needs assessment

To assess physicians' confidence in and interest in learning more about 18 specific geriatric topics.

Written survey.

Annual meetings of the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Seven hundred and fifty-eight physicians (547 ACP members, 211 AAFP members).

For each topic, participants rated their confidence in performance, their peers' need for education, and their interest in learning more, using a five-point Likert scale.

Survey participants were on average 16 years out of medical school and 61% were in a community primary care practice that included many geriatric patients on a primarily fee-for-service basis. High levels of interest in learning more about dementia, functional assessment, urinary incontinence, and sensory impairment were found. A substantial correlation (r =.44, P <.0001) between the proportion of seniors reported in the physicians' practice and confidence in performance in the areas surveyed was identified.

These findings provide useful information on the physician-learner's perception of needs, which is important in the design of effective continuing education efforts in geriatrics.