Date Approved
1997
Graduate Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Physical Therapy (M.S.)
Degree Program
Physical Therapy
Abstract
Physical therapy is one of the many professions that must respond to the increase of health care utilization by the rapidly growing elderly population. The purposes of this cross-sectional study were to compare first and final year physical therapy students’ knowledge, misconceptions, and attitudes toward the elderly and to determine if knowledge correlates with attitudes. Students in their first year (N=168) and final year (N=149) of accredited Master’s level physical therapy programs were surveyed. Questionnaires consisted of: a short demographic sheet, Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quiz 1 with a “don’t know” response added, and a modified Aging Semantic Differential by Rosencranz and McNevin. Results indicated that: 1) final year students have more knowledge, fewer misconceptions, and more positive attitudes than first year students and 2) knowledge was found to be correlated to attitude. Physical therapy programs must continue to improve students’ knowledge and attitudes toward the elderly if quality care is to be provided to this growing population.
ScholarWorks Citation
Fleming, Christina J.; Kandes, Mark A.; and Shultz, Jennifer E., "A Comparison of the Knowledge, Misconceptions, and Attitudes Toward the Elderly of First Versus Final Year Students in Accredited Physical Therapy Programs" (1997). Masters Theses. 317.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses/317
Comments
Questions or concerns regarding the copyright status of this item may be directed to scholarworks@gvsu.edu.