An exploration of emergency nurses' understanding of the ageing process and knowledge of their older patient: A comparison between regional and metropolitan nurses in Australia

Abstract

AimsThe aims of the present study were to report and compare regional and metropolitan Australian ED nurses' knowledge and understanding of age related characteristics of the older person. BackgroundED nurses, who have a duty of care to deliver best practices for managing the older person, can be challenged due to the complexities and co-morbidities associated with older person presentations in the ED. Nurses in regional areas may have limited access to continuing education programmes and limited opportunities to attend such programmes. DesignA cross-sectional survey using previously validated instruments (OPACS and Palmore's Facts of Ageing Quiz) was conducted to measure emergency nurses knowledge and perceptions of physical, physiologic, and age related characteristics of older people; and aspects of hospitalisation that affect older people. MethodsMembers of the College of Emergency Nursing Australasia (CENA) were invited to participate in the present study. There were 371 (39%) completed and valid surveys returned. ResultsThe OPACS results indicate that 66% of ED nurses had a basic knowledge about physical aspects and hospitalisation issues that affect older people. There were 59% correct responses for the Palmore's Facts of Ageing Quiz items measuring knowledge of physiologic and age related characteristics of older people. There were few differences between regional and metropolitan nurses. ConclusionIncreased knowledge of ageing is required for emergency nurses to continue to provide adequate care to older patients presenting to the ED to avoid adverse outcomes for these people.