Attitudes to ageing amongst health care professionals: a qualitative systematic review

Key summary points Aim The primary aim was to systematically review the qualitative literature examining attitudes to ageing amongst health care professionals. Findings Emergent themes included the attitudes and behaviours of healthcare professionals towards older people, role of family, definitions of an older person, and behaviours of older adults towards healthcare professionals. An overarching theme was the systemic context of attitudes to ageing. Message Attitudes to ageing of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals are shaped within complex healthcare systems necessitating interprofessional approaches and systemic change. Objectives Older adults utilising healthcare may be vulnerable to systemic bias regarding ageing potentially affecting care. Primary aim is to systematically review the qualitative literature examining attitudes to ageing amongst health care professionals (HCPs). Secondary aim is to describe and compare attitudes to ageing between different professional groups. Methods Studies examining attitudes to ageing of HCPs were identified using four databases. Original qualitative research with HCPs was included, excluding studies examining students alone, reviews, and grey literature. Three authors undertook standardised data extraction and quality rating for each study and thematic synthesis, with a fourth senior author reviewing. Quality appraisal followed the Attree and Milton guidelines (2006), including studies rated A–C. Results Of 5869 citations, 13 met initial inclusion criteria. Synthesis of the 12 studies graded A–C followed (excluding one study rated-D). Nurses, doctors, and social workers were most frequently investigated. Identified themes included Attitudes towards older persons, The role of the older persons’ family, Behaviour of HCPs towards older persons, Behaviour of older persons towards HCPs, and Definitions of an older person. An overarching theme emerged of the systemic context of attitudes to ageing. Common attitudes were found across disciplines, with doctors emphasising complexity and dependency and nurses the burden of care. Conclusions HCP’s attitudes to ageing vary and are shaped by professional experiences and systemic factors. HCP attitudes may affect responses to and care of the older person. Therefore, interprofessional research, and systemic and service changes across disciplines are required to foster real and sustainable attitudinal change to support older peoples’ care.