Basic Geriatric Knowledge and Awareness Among Palestinian Physicians: A Cross-Sectional Study

Population aging is increasing demand for competent geriatric care. This is the first multicenter study in Palestine to assess physician geriatric knowledge using a validated instrument (Revised Facts on Aging Quiz), providing baseline data for curriculum reform in a country with no accredited geriatrics fellowship program. 378 physicians of the Palestinian Ministry of Health completed a self-administered questionnaire covering demographics, professional level, geriatrics education, and knowledge using the validated Revised Facts on Aging Quiz. Among 378 physicians (mean age 30.17±8.07 years; 65.34% male), the mean knowledge score was 20.35±4.14 (A score of 56.5% correct, while indicating foundational knowledge, leaves a 43.5% gap in understanding, a deficit that may translate into suboptimal care for older adults, including missed geriatric syndromes and inappropriate prescribing). Knowledge was not significantly associated with age, or gender. Physicians trained in Palestine scored higher than those trained abroad (20.82±4.28 vs. 19.84±3.94; p=0.022). Scores differed by professional level (ANOVA p=0.025), with interns highest (20.90±3.93) and general practitioners lowest (18.80±4.20). Common misconceptions involved older adults' adaptability, work capacity, and depression prevalence. Overall geriatric knowledge was moderate, but prevalent misconceptions highlight significant educational deficiencies. Knowledge differed by professional level and country of medical education, suggesting both career stage and educational environment affect geriatrics competency. We recommend that Palestinian medical schools integrate a minimum of 20 contact hours of geriatrics content into existing internal medicine and family medicine rotations, including clinical exposure to well-elderly care, geriatric syndromes, and polypharmacy management.