Table 2 The attitude score and responses to attitude statements of the UCLA geriatric attitude scale (N = 494)
Variable | Mean | SD | Min | Max | Median | IQR |
Attitude score | 43.81 | 5.346 | 30 | 57 | 43 | 8 |
Statements | N (%) | |||||
Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | ||
Most old people are pleasant to be with | 25 (5.1) | 35 (7.1) | 145 (29.4) | 195 (39.5) | 94 (19) | |
I would rather see younger patients than older ones | 50 (10.1) | 128 (25.9) | 187 (37.9) | 99 (20) | 30 (6.1) | |
It is the family responsibility to provide care for the elderly | 22 (4.5) | 25 (5.1) | 75 (15.2) | 159 (32.2) | 213 (43.1) | |
Medical care for elders uses up too many material and human resources | 42 (8.5) | 76 (15.4) | 184 (37.2) | 154 (31.2) | 38 (7.7) | |
As people grow older, they become less organized and more confused | 35 (7.1) | 142 (28.7) | 147 (29.8) | 142 (28.7) | 28 (5.7) | |
Elderly patients tend to be more appreciative of the medical care I provide than are younger patients | 9 (1.8) | 39 (7.9) | 192 (38.9) | 170 (34.4) | 84 (17) | |
Taking a medical history from elderly patients is frequently troublesome | 18 (3.6) | 65 (13.2) | 186 (37.7) | 184 (37.2) | 41 (8.3) | |
I tend to pay more attention and have more sympathy towards the elderly patients than the younger patients | 22 (4.5) | 55 (11.1) | 170 (34.4) | 178 (36) | 69 (14) | |
Elders, in general, do not contribute much to society (as in work, social events, and family gathering) | 85 (17.2) | 141 (28.5) | 139 (28.1) | 113 (22.9) | 16 (3.2) | |
Treatment of chronically ill old patients is hopeless | 149 (30.2) | 165 (33.4) | 105 (21.3) | 69 (14) | 6 (1.2) | |
Elders do not contribute towards paying for their health care | 60 (12.1) | 154 (31.2) | 176 (35.6) | 91 (18.4) | 13 (2.6) | |
In general, old people act too slow for modern society | 37 (7.5) | 69 (14) | 173 (35) | 190 (38.5) | 25 (5.1) | |
It is interesting when listening to the elder’s past experiences | 15 (3) | 18 (3.6) | 66 (13.4) | 134 (27.1) | 261 (52.8) | |