Exploring ageism in medical education: A scoping review of the educational factors affecting the attitudes of medical students and junior doctors towards older inpatients

Abstract

Objectives

Ageism is a significant issue in health care and exists among medical learners in the teaching hospital setting. To highlight potential strategies and interventions that may address ageism among medical students and junior doctors, we aimed to explore and understand the educational factors within hospital training environments that influence the attitudes of medical students and junior doctors towards older inpatients.

Methods

A scoping review of academic peer-reviewed English literature was conducted using seven academic databases. The first 100 results of an advanced Google Scholar search were also screened. One researcher screened identified articles and extracted relevant data from those that were included. Two researchers analysed the data using a modified content analysis.

Results

A total of 18 articles were included for review, published between 1982 and 2023, mostly from English-speaking countries. The articles described factors contributing to both positive and negative attitudes of medical students and junior doctors towards older inpatients. Four themes regarding these attitudes were identified: (1) the intersectionality of patient age, comorbidity and complex care needs; (2) the hospital environment; (3) clinical interactions; and (4) training in and exposure to Geriatric Medicine.

Conclusions

There are several educational factors in the hospital training environment that affect the attitudes of medical students and junior doctors towards older inpatients. Exposure to and training in Geriatric Medicine may promote more positive attitudes towards older inpatients, but further research is required to determine whether this is of clinical significance.