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

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Communication

Background:

• Ageism remains a concern in healthcare, potentially impacting the quality of care for older adults.
• Effective communication and understanding are crucial for geriatric nursing practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an e-learning module on practicing nurses' ageist perceptions.
• To assess changes in nurses' knowledge and confidence in communicating with older patients.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental pre-post-test design was employed.
• Participants (practicing nurses) completed the Ambivalent Ageism Scale before and after the e-learning module.
• A feedback survey, including an open-ended question, was administered post-module.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant reduction in ageist attitudes was observed post-module.
• Nurses reported increased knowledge and confidence in working with older adults.
• Qualitative feedback indicated enhanced understanding of older people among most participants.

Conclusions:

• The e-learning module effectively improves nurses' perceptions and knowledge regarding older adults.
• This educational intervention has the potential to positively influence patient-level outcomes in geriatric care.