A Questionnaire-based Study on Perceptions, Attitudes, and need Assessment regarding Geriatric Healthcare among Geriatric Outpatients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in India

ABSTRACT

Background: The lack of specialized geriatric healthcare in India, coupled with an aging population, has resulted in longer wait times, communication barriers, and a potential increase in unmet needs in a demographic that is already financially and socially vulnerable. This raises the need for exploring the perspectives and needs of the geriatric patient population to improve the quality and accessibility of the healthcare they receive. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the perceptions and perceived needs of geriatric patients regarding current healthcare and their attitudes toward specialized geriatric healthcare. Materials and methods: Following the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC), a cross-sectional study was carried out among 262 geriatric patients (age >60) from seven outpatient departments (OPD). A structured 10-item questionnaire was administered to assess the perceptions and perceived needs of the study population. Results: A total of 165 (63%) patients were not satisfied with the healthcare being provided to them. Around 96.1% of patients felt the need for a separate geriatric OPD/department. A total of 98% of patients had optimistic attitudes toward the possibility of specialized geriatric healthcare. A total of >80% of the patients were willing to spend more time for checkups and follow-ups regularly if that would improve their quality of life. Conclusion: This study showed a low satisfaction rate of geriatric patients with the current healthcare and a high felt need for specialized geriatric facilities. There was an overall positive attitude of patients toward the implementation of various facilities of specialized geriatric healthcare.