Physician perceptions of problems in the care of elderly patients.

A survey of family physicians in the District of Columbia and family practice residents and academic internists in a university hospital was undertaken to examine attitudes, perceptions of problems, and decision-making processes relative to the care of the elderly patient.Physicians report having more problems with elderly patients, although when compared with reports of perceptions of problems with nonelderly patients, there are no significant statistical differences. There is also no evidence of patterns of significant statistical differences between black and white physicians in their perceptions of problems in care of the elderly. Implications for medical education are reflected in physician acknowledgment of need for assistance in management of both elderly and nonelderly patients for most facets of psychosocial dimensions of care and in their concerns for negative societal conditions. The rationale for current curricular emphasis in the nation's medical schools upon geriatrics and human values in medicine appears to be supported by this exploratory study.