Determining emergency physicians' and nurses' views concerning older patients: a mixed-method study.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Emergency Medicine
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Increasing number of elderly patients in emergency services.
• Unique healthcare needs of older patients require tailored emergency care.
• Variability in the quality of emergency care for geriatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore emergency service staff perspectives on aging and elderly patients.
• To identify barriers and facilitators in providing quality care to older adults in emergency settings.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-method study involving physicians and nurses in an adult emergency service.
• Data collection through questionnaires and focus group interviews.
• Quantitative data analyzed using frequency and percentages; qualitative data using thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Staff perceive older patients as dependent individuals requiring healthcare.
• Nurses define good care by meeting physical, social, and psychological needs; physicians by improving quality of life.
• Key impediments include staff shortages, overcrowding, and inadequate training, leading to staff exhaustion.

Conclusions:

• Emergency department staff are aware of older patients' needs but face systemic challenges.
• Addressing environmental and training factors is crucial for improving geriatric emergency care.
• Staff well-being is impacted by the difficulties in caring for this growing patient demographic.