Nurses' attitudes towards older people: a comparison between nurses working in acute medical and acute care of elderly patient settings.

Drawing on a sample of 76 nurses from two health authorities working in acute medical or acute care of elderly patient wards, a quantitative approach was taken to compare their attitudes. A questionnaire which identified possible predictors of attitude, knowledge about older people (via a modified Palmore's Facts on Ageing Quiz) and attitudinal disposition (via Kogan's Old People Scale) was distributed. Results indicated a statistically significant difference (P = 0.03) in attitudes, with elderly care nurses scoring more favourably. Factors which might explain such a finding are identified, namely post-basic gerontological education, age of respondent and knowledge of older people, and their relative influences discussed. Conclusions are based on the premise that any variation based on specialist area is unacceptable since care of older people is now within every nurse's remit, and suggested interventions are outlined.