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Ageism among physicians, nurses, and social workers: findings from a qualitative study

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Abstract

This study investigated ageism among healthcare professionals in various therapeutic settings in Israel. Using a qualitative approach, the current study aimed to examine similarities and differences across healthcare disciplines. Three focus groups were conducted with physicians, nurses, and social workers. Data from each focus group were analyzed separately, and then commonalities and differences across the groups were evaluated. Three main themes relating to older adults emerged from the data. The first theme pertains to perceived difficulties that healthcare professionals experience in working with older adults and their family members; the second focuses on invisibility and discriminatory communication patterns; and the third theme relates to provision of inappropriate care to older adults. Similarities and differences across the three disciplines were found. The differences related mainly to the examples provided for manifestations of ageism in the healthcare system. Provision of inadequate treatment to older adults due to their age appeared to be the most complex theme, and is discussed at length in the Discussion. Briefly, the complexity stems from the fact that although some behaviors can be clearly described as inappropriate and undesirable, other behaviors such as avoidance of invasive medical procedures for older patients raise ethical dilemmas. Potentially, avoidance of invasive medical treatment can be perceived as compassionate care rather than as undertreatment due to ageist perceptions. A related dilemma, i.e., longevity versus quality-of-life, is also discussed in light of the finding that the balance of these two aspects changes as patients grow old.

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Acknowledgments

The study was funded by the Israel National Institute for Health Policy Research [#10/102/a]. The study is partially supported by the COST Action IS1402.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Department of Social Work, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer, Israel

    Aya Ben-Harush

  2. The Early Childhood Education Program, The David Yellin Academic College of Education, Jerusalem, Israel

    Aya Ben-Harush

  3. Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, 91905, Jerusalem, Israel

    Sharon Shiovitz-Ezra

  4. Department of Gerontology, University of Haifa, 31905, Haifa, Israel

    Israel Doron

  5. ESHEL-Joint, Joint Hill, POB 3489, Jerusalem, Israel

    Sara Alon

  6. Internal Medicine-Geriatrics, Epidemiology and Prevention, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Arthur Leibovitz

  7. The Department of Nursing, The Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Hava Golander

  8. Nursing Division, Ministry of Health, Capital Towers, 39 Jermiyau St, Jerusalem, Israel

    Yafa Haron

  9. Gabi and Louis Weisfeld School of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 52900, Ramat Gan, Israel

    Liat Ayalon

Authors
  1. Aya Ben-Harush
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  2. Sharon Shiovitz-Ezra
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  3. Israel Doron
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  4. Sara Alon
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  5. Arthur Leibovitz
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  6. Hava Golander
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  7. Yafa Haron
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  8. Liat Ayalon
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Correspondence to Sharon Shiovitz-Ezra.

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Responsible editor: Clemens Tesch-Römer (guest editor) and Howard Litwin.

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Ben-Harush, A., Shiovitz-Ezra, S., Doron, I. et al. Ageism among physicians, nurses, and social workers: findings from a qualitative study. Eur J Ageing 14, 39–48 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-016-0389-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-016-0389-9

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