Physician assistant attitude and expressed intent to work with geriatric patients

This study evaluated the attitudes of physician assistant students (PAS) and practicing physician assistants (PA) toward geriatric patients and the expressed intent of PAS and practicing PAs toward practicing in the specialized field of geriatric medicine using a cross-sectional study design. The 233 participants each completed a questionnaire composed of a 17-item geriatrics attitude scale, a 4-item assessment of likelihood to practice in geriatric medicine, and three demographic questions. Students and alumni born before 1959 scored higher in their likelihood to practice in geriatric medicine than those born between 1970 and 1979. Participants born between 1970 and 1979 scored higher than those born after 1980. No difference was found in attitude toward elderly either by age or gender. Age appeared to be the most important factor in determining a PA's likelihood to practice in geriatric medicine. Thus, as age is not a variable that is able to be practically controlled for in the selection of PA students, PA programs should implement other educational strategies, as reviewed in the literature, to improve the attitudes and likelihood that their students will choose to practice in geriatric medicine. These include early positive experiences with elderly and the incorporation of interdisciplinary faculty and students.