Publication: Attitude and needs toward geriatric care among primary care doctors in Malaysia: A mixed methods study
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Date
2024-12
Authors
Azmi, Mohd Ikhwan
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Abstract
Background: Primary care doctors (PCD) are pivotal in an ageing society. They must possess the appropriate attitudes in offering effective care to the older persons. Their need to deliver effective geriatric care must also be addressed to ensure they are equipped to provide high-quality care to the older persons. Therefore, this study sought to determine the attitudes of PCDs toward geriatric care and its associated factors and to explore the needs of PCDs in delivering geriatric care in Malaysia.
Method: This convergent mixed-method study was conducted between December 2022 and November 2024. The quantitative method was a cross-sectional of 328 PCDs in Malaysia and used convenience sampling. While the qualitative method was an in-depth interview of 11 PCDs. This study included doctors who had worked for at least six months in a primary care setting. Doctors who did not attend to older persons were excluded from the study. For the quantitative method, the University of California Los Angeles - Geriatric Attitude Scale questionnaire was administered online. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine associated factors. For the qualitative method, in-depth interviews were conducted among participants recruited from the quantitative study. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.
Result: Primary Care Doctors’ attitudes towards geriatric care in Malaysia were positive. Being a family medicine specialist (Adj. B 0.25; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.37, p ≤ 0.001) and those who perceived to have administrative support for geriatric care
services (Adj. B 0.15; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.24, p = 0.001) were associated with a positive attitude. From the qualitative study, three major themes were found regarding PCDs' needs in geriatric care: “education and awareness needs,” “administrative and operational needs,” and “support system needs.”
Conclusion: This study emphasizes the need for PCDs to have periodic and specialized training in geriatric care and highlights the administrative support necessary to deliver geriatric care. The community must also fully support them in delivering comprehensive geriatric care, including interagency collaboration in delivering the care service. Targeted strategies can be used to cultivate a supportive and understanding environment for PCDs, which, in turn, will positively impact their attitudes and fulfil their needs toward delivering comprehensive geriatric care.
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Keywords
Attitude , Needs , Doctor