Investigating the attitudes of local radiographers towards the geriatric patient.

Abstract

Purpose One of the main issues being discussed internationally and locally concerns the aging population. Older age increases the possibility of developing health problems and therefore will impose a greater demand on the health care system for resources such as radiographic imaging. It is therefore important that the radiographers demonstrate the adequate attitudes towards this aging population as these determine the quality of care delivered. Aims This study aims to investigate the attitudes held by the local radiographers towards the geriatric patient and to explore some factors which may serve as contributing factors to such attitudes Methodology The researcher made use of a well-established questionnaire - The Kogan Old People (KOP) Scale in adjunction with further questions to look into the attitudes of the radiographers towards the older patient. The researcher targeted the whole population of radiographers working in a large general hospital (n=l39), from which 49.6 % (n=69) participated in the study. The results were analysed utilising the SPSS software. Results The results obtained indicate that the radiographers working in a local hospital demonstrate an overall positive attitude towards the geriatric patient. The results obtained demonstrate a more positive attitude on behalf of the female radiographers, the older radiographers and those having more years of experience as a radiographer. However the findings were not found to be statistically significant. It was also seen that those radiographers living with or caring for older relatives exhibited more negative attitudes towards the geriatric patient. Conclusion The results indicate an overall positive attitude on behalf of the local radiographers. It is recommended that in order to meet the optimum health care service necessary, educational intervention through knowledge and work experience with the older patients is necessary to promote positive attitudes towards this age group. Moreover it is also recommended that further studies are carried out.