Ageism and Knowledge of Aging Among Future Healthcare Professionals

TL;DR

Future healthcare students have limited aging knowledge but mostly positive attitudes, with differences based on major and experience.

Contribution

The study identifies how academic background and exposure influence ageism and aging knowledge among health students.

Findings

Students showed limited aging knowledge but generally positive attitudes with low negative ageism.

Nursing majors had higher positive ageism than pre-med students, and contact with older adults reduced restrictive views.

Aging knowledge increased favorable attitudes and varied by academic year, with lower scores among sophomores and juniors.

Abstract

As the global population ages, addressing ageist attitudes among future healthcare professionals is essential. This study surveyed 148 undergraduate students pursuing health-related careers at a large Midwestern university to assess their knowledge and attitudes about aging using the Ageism Attitude Scale (AAS) and Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ II). Students demonstrated limited knowledge of aging but generally positive attitudes, with low negative ageism, moderate positive ageism, and some belief that aging restricts life. Regression analyses showed that attitudes varied by academic major, experience, and knowledge. Nursing majors reported higher positive ageism than pre-med students, and frequent contact with older adults was linked to lower restrictive views. Negative ageism was lowest among healthcare administration majors and students with formal training in aging. Aging knowledge was positively associated with more favorable attitudes and varied by school year, with sophomores and juniors scoring lower than freshmen.