Provider-Patient Interaction: Exploring Elderspeak in Simulated Preclinical Chiropractic Student Encounters

Area of Science:

• Chiropractic Education
• Gerontology
• Communication Studies

Background:

• Elderspeak, characterized by patronizing communication, can negatively impact older adults.
• Understanding communication patterns in healthcare settings is crucial for effective patient care.
• Chiropractic education programs train future providers who interact with diverse patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of elderspeak in simulated chiropractic provider-patient encounters.
• To identify the most common types of elderspeak used in these encounters.
• To explore if gender influences the use of elderspeak.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional mixed methods observational design was employed.
• Sixty digitized recordings of simulated chiropractic encounters were analyzed.
• Occurrences and categorizations of elderspeak were systematically identified.

Main Results:

• A total of 331 instances of elderspeak were detected across the recordings.
• Collective pronoun usage emerged as the most frequently observed form of elderspeak.
• Further analysis explored the influence of gender on elderspeak usage.

Conclusions:

• The chiropractic field demonstrates susceptibility to elderspeak.
• Recognizing and mitigating elderspeak is vital to combat ageism.
• Addressing elderspeak can contribute to improved health outcomes for older adult patients.