Portuguese nurses' knowledge of and attitudes toward hospitalized older adults

• DOI: 10.1111/scs.12124
• Publication Date: 2014-03-14T02:34:58Z
• Authors: João Paulo de Alm...; Alcione Leite da ...; Pedro Sá‐Couto; Marie Boltz; Elizabeth Capezuti
• Keywords: Gerontological nursing; Knowledge level

Portugal is impacted by the rapid growth of aging population, which has significant implications for its health care system. However, nurses have received little education focusing on unique and complex needs older adults. This gap in nurses′ an enormous impact their knowledge attitudes affects quality nursing provided to A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 1068 Portuguese five hospitals (northern central region) with following purposes: (i) explore about four common geriatric syndromes (pressure ulcer, incontinence, restraint use sleep disturbance) hospitals; (ii) evaluate influence demographic, professional nurses' perception hospital educational support, knowledge, burden caring adults upon attitudes. The mean scores were 0.41 ± 0.15 0.40 0.21, respectively (the maximum score 1). Knowledge ulcers, disturbance, urinary incontinence use) found inadequate. towards hospitalized generally negative. Nurses who work academic demonstrated significantly more than centers. associated unit type, region, staff perceived findings support need improving implementing evidence‐based guidelines practice.