Beyond the stethoscope: ageism in white coats and resident physicians' preferences for elderly patient care

The global increase in life expectancy has significantly raised the elderly population. In Türkiye, the proportion of individuals aged 65 and over rose from 8.8% in 2018 to 10.2% in 2023. This demographic shift necessitates the planning of social and health services for the elderly. Ageism affects elderly health negatively and is prevalent in healthcare settings. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ageism among resident physicians at Pamukkale University Hospital and identify factors influencing their preferences for providing healthcare to elderly patients.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at Pamukkale University Hospital between 6 June and 16 June, 2024. A total of 448 resident physicians were selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which included sociodemographic information, factors affecting ageism, and the Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used to evaluate factors influencing healthcare preferences.

The FSA score averaged 71.89 ± 7.87, indicating a 20.1% (95% CI:16.48-24.10) prevalence of age discrimination among resident physicians. Logistic regression analysis revealed that male participants (odds ratio (OR) = 1.519, P = 0.042), those with moderate to very poor perceived knowledge of elderly health (OR = 2.418, P < 0.001), and higher FSA scores (OR = 1.046, P < 0.001) were more likely to prefer not providing healthcare services to elderly patients.

Ageism among resident physicians is prevalent, impacting their willingness to provide care to elderly patients. Gender, perceived knowledge, and ageist attitudes influence their preferences for providing healthcare to elderly patients. Addressing these factors is crucial for improving healthcare services for the elderly.