What Residents Want to Know About Geriatrics

Abstract

Abstract Focus group analysis, a qualitative research method involving group interviews, was used to explore resident physicians' experiences with older patients. Content analyses of three groups of resident physicians from five residency programs in an urban community identified several important themes in regard to caring for older patients and revealed strong emotional responses to caring for older patients. Implications for designing improved geriatrics curricula are presented. Residents emphasized the need for additional training in communication skills as well as broadening the scope of settings where geriatric education takes place. It is recommended that similar studies be conducted at other medical centers in order to better inform revisions in geriatric education.