Healthcare workers’ knowledge and attitudes toward elderly care in Malaysian public hospitals: a single-centre cross-sectional study

Background: Aging is a natural part of life, and the number of elderly people is rapidly increasing globally and in Malaysia. Many elderly individuals experience chronic health problems that require specialized nursing care. Healthcare workers, particularly nurses, who lack sufficient knowledge or positive attitudes toward elderly care may deliver suboptimal care, affecting both patients and the healthcare system. Objectives:This study aimed to assess healthcare workers' knowledge and attitudes toward elderly care in a Malaysian public hospital and discuss nursing implications to improve gerontology practice. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a single public hospital between September 2018 to June 2019. Using convenience sampling, a total of 304 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, dentists, and allied health professionals, were recruited, yielding a response rate of 92.12%. Data was collected using validated self-administered questionnaires: the Facts on Aging Quiz 2 (FAQ-2) to assess knowledge and Kogan's Attitude toward Old People Scale (KOP) to evaluate attitudes. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: The mean ± SD score for knowledge on aging was 9.16 ± 1.03, while the mean ± SD score for attitudes toward the elderly was 38.00 ± 5.14. A significant association was found between the highest educational qualification and both knowledge (p=0.011) and attitude (p<0.001) scores. Conclusion: Educational level significantly influences healthcare workers' knowledge and attitudes toward elderly care, with exposure to elderly care also playing a role. Enhancing awareness and understanding of aging among healthcare workers is essential to fostering empathy and improving attitudes, ultimately improving the quality of care for elderly patients.

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