Knowledge, attitudes, and work preferences regarding the elderly among medical students and practicing physicians.

Examined knowledge about the elderly and its relation to attitudes and preferences for work with the elderly among 170 medical students and practicing physicians (PPs). Ss completed questionnaires. Students and PPs did not differ on general knowledge about the elderly and their negative attitudes toward the elderly. PPs who actually worked with the elderly, and particularly family physicians expressed significantly more willingness to work with the aged. The statistical analyses showed that increases in knowledge about gerontology did not necessarily have positive effects on attitudes and on the willingness to work with the elderly. Actual work experience, however, especially among family physicians, had a positive effect on the willingness to continue to work with the elderly. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)