Irakaskuntzan eta praktika klinikoan oinarritutako esku-hartzearen eragina osasun zientzietako ikasleen adinkeriaren murrizketan.: The impact of a teaching and clinical practice-based intervention on reducing ageism in health science students

Abstract

Ageism is known as discrimination based on age. Ageism comprises three dimensions: cognitive, affective, and behavioral. Educational interventions and contact with older adults have been shown to be effective strategies to counteract ageism. Reducing ageism among healthcare students is essential to ensure the provision of high-quality care for older individuals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the impact of increasing knowledge about the aging process and engaging in clinical placements in sociosanitary centers on negative stereotypes and prejudices toward older adults. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine and Nursing of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), on the Leioa Campus, during the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 academic years. This was a prospective cohort study, with data collection carried out at the beginning and end of each academic year. The CENVE and DSE questionnaires were used to measure stereotypes and prejudices. The results from the beginning and end of the 2019/2020 academic year showed a decrease in negative stereotypes and prejudices within the intervention group, while no changes were observed in the control group. In the 2020/2021 academic year, a reduction in negative stereotypes was observed in both the intervention and control groups; however, there were no significant changes in prejudice levels in either group. It can therefore be concluded that an intervention combining education about aging with clinical placements in sociosanitary settings can significantly reduce students’ negative stereotypes and prejudices toward older adults.

KEYWORDS: ageism, health science students, interventions, negative stereotypes, prejudices