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Ageism among physicians, nurses, and social workers: findings from a qualitative study

Author

Listed:
  • Aya Ben-Harush

    (Ruppin Academic Center
    The David Yellin Academic College of Education)

  • Sharon Shiovitz-Ezra

    (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem)

  • Israel Doron

    (University of Haifa)

  • Sara Alon

    (ESHEL-Joint)

  • Arthur Leibovitz

    (Tel Aviv University)

  • Hava Golander

    (Tel Aviv University)

  • Yafa Haron

    (Ministry of Health)

  • Liat Ayalon

    (Bar-Ilan University)

Abstract

This study investigated ageism among healthcare professionals in various therapeutic settings in Israel. Using a qualitative approach, the current study aimed to examine similarities and differences across healthcare disciplines. Three focus groups were conducted with physicians, nurses, and social workers. Data from each focus group were analyzed separately, and then commonalities and differences across the groups were evaluated. Three main themes relating to older adults emerged from the data. The first theme pertains to perceived difficulties that healthcare professionals experience in working with older adults and their family members; the second focuses on invisibility and discriminatory communication patterns; and the third theme relates to provision of inappropriate care to older adults. Similarities and differences across the three disciplines were found. The differences related mainly to the examples provided for manifestations of ageism in the healthcare system. Provision of inadequate treatment to older adults due to their age appeared to be the most complex theme, and is discussed at length in the Discussion. Briefly, the complexity stems from the fact that although some behaviors can be clearly described as inappropriate and undesirable, other behaviors such as avoidance of invasive medical procedures for older patients raise ethical dilemmas. Potentially, avoidance of invasive medical treatment can be perceived as compassionate care rather than as undertreatment due to ageist perceptions. A related dilemma, i.e., longevity versus quality-of-life, is also discussed in light of the finding that the balance of these two aspects changes as patients grow old.

Suggested Citation

  • Aya Ben-Harush & Sharon Shiovitz-Ezra & Israel Doron & Sara Alon & Arthur Leibovitz & Hava Golander & Yafa Haron & Liat Ayalon, 2017. "Ageism among physicians, nurses, and social workers: findings from a qualitative study," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 39-48, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:14:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s10433-016-0389-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-016-0389-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vandrevala, Tushna & Hampson, Sarah E. & Daly, Tom & Arber, Sara & Thomas, Hilary, 2006. "Dilemmas in decision-making about resuscitation--a focus group study of older people," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(7), pages 1579-1593, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Paul Alhassan Issahaku & Alhassan Sulemana, 2021. "Older Adults’ Expectations and Experiences With Health care Professionals in Ghana," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, August.
    2. Peggy Palsgaard & Christian A. Maino Vieytes & Natasha Peterson & Sarah L. Francis & Lillie Monroe-Lord & Nadine R. Sahyoun & Melissa Ventura-Marra & Lee Weidauer & Furong Xu & Anna E. Arthur, 2022. "Healthcare Professionals’ Views and Perspectives towards Aging," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-13, November.
    3. Ahuva Even-Zohar & Varda Shtanger & Anat Israeli & Emma Averbuch & Gad Segal & Haim Mayan & Shmuel Steinlauf & Alex Galper & Eyal Zimlichman, 2021. "The Association between Health and Culture: The Perspective of Older Adult Hospital In-Patients in Israel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-12, June.
    4. Emma Lea & Annette Marlow & Erika Altmann & Helen Courtney‐Pratt, 2018. "Nursing students’ preferences for clinical placements in the residential aged care setting," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(1-2), pages 143-152, January.
    5. Mohammad Rababa & Ammar M. Hammouri & Issa M. Hweidi & Julie L. Ellis, 2020. "Association of nurses' level of knowledge and attitudes to ageism toward older adults: Cross‐sectional study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(3), pages 593-601, September.

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