Evaluation of Knowledge, General Opinion and Practice Experiences of Nurses in Caring of the Older Patients and Determining Affecting Factors

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards older patients. This study was conducted in a cross-sectional method on 412 participants from July to October 2020. Patients were selected using random sampling method. Three questionnaires were used: a sociodemographic form, an Older Patient in Acute Care Survey and a Knowledge about Older Patients-Quiz. According to the Pearson correlation test, there is a statistically significant and positive association between knowledge and general opinion (P = 0.000), (r = 0.271) and between practice experiences and general opinion (P = 0.000), (r = 0.205) of nurses about older patient care. There was no statistically significant relationship between knowledge and practice experiences (P = 0.857), (r = -. 009). Nurses' increased knowledge and awareness of the older people will improve their interactions with the older people and the quality of their care.