Attitudes Toward Aging of Physical Therapists and Student Physical Therapists. (1st December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blackwood, Jennifer; Sweet, Christina; Martin, Alison
• Is Part Of: Physical & occupational therapy in geriatrics. Volume 32:Number 4(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 281
• Page End: 293
• Publication Date: 2014-12-01
• Subjects: Physical therapy for older people -- Periodicals; Occupational therapy for older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 615.820846
• DOI: 10.3109/02703181.2014.934943
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0270-3181

Abstract

<abstract> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p> <italic>Aims</italic>: Attitudes toward aging have been reported to guide patterns of practice in healthcare; however, the current attitudes toward aging in physical therapy are unknown. <italic>Methods</italic>: Physical therapist (PT) and student physical therapist (SPT) members of the American Physical Therapy Association were invited to complete an anonymous online survey using a modified version of the 14-item University of California, Los Angeles-Geriatric Attitudinal Scale (UCLA-GAS) to examine attitudes toward aging. Differences between responses on each item of the UCLA-GAS were completed between groups and within three categories commonly reported in the UCLA-GAS. <italic>Results</italic>: Significant differences were found between the responses of PTs and SPTs on half of the items of the UCLA-GAS. <italic>Conclusions</italic>: PTs had slightly more positive attitudes toward aging, which may be a reflection of time spent with older adults and familiarity with the economics of geriatric physical therapy practice.</p> </abstract>