ATTITUDES OF STUDENTS IN HEALTH PROFESSIONS TOWARD CARING FOR OLDER PEOPLE: NEEDED CURRICULA REVISIONS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This descriptive study examined the conceptions and misconceptions students in health professions have regarding older people. The research was conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The findings revealed that students in health professions, as a whole, demonstrated a high degree of stereotypic misconceptions and poor knowledge about aging and older people. The study also revealed a significant difference in conceptions and misconceptions about older people between students in the Bachelor of Nursing Science degree program and medical degree students. Finally, the study revealed reluctance among students in health professions to specialize in any area related to geriatrics or gerontology.