Improving practicing nurses' knowledge and perceptions of older people: a quasi-experimental study

This study aimed to determine if an e-learning module about understanding and communicating with older people can improve practicing nurses' ageist perceptions about older people.

We used a quasi-experimental pre-post-test design. Participants completed a 13-item Ambivalent Ageism Scale before and after completing the Understanding and Communicating with Older People e-learning module as well as a Likert-style feedback survey with the option for written feedback on an open-ended question.

Pre-post-test comparisons indicated a statistically significant decrease in ageist attitudes and self-reported increases in knowledge and confidence in working with older people. Qualitative analysis of written feedback revealed that most participants felt the module enhanced their understanding of older people.

The e-learning activity has the potential to improve practicing nurses' knowledge and perceptions about working with older people and is likely to be associated with better patient-level outcomes.