Medical students' attitudes towards older persons - a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Med Educ OnlineApr 21, 2026 (epub)
Ali Vahedi, Åsa G Andersson, Brynjar Fure
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined medical students' attitudes towards older persons, analyzing 21 studies with a total of 3940 participants. The findings suggest that empathy-based teaching interventions significantly improved attitudes (SMD 0.18, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.34), while traditional methods did not show a positive effect.
Key findings
- Empathy-based interventions improved attitudes with a standardized mean difference of 0.18 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.34).
- Traditional teaching methods showed no significant effect on attitudes, with an SMD of -0.13 (95% CI -0.81 to 0.54).
- The meta-analysis included a total of 2004 students, yielding a non-significant SMD of 0.12 (95% CI -0.01 to 0.26).
- High heterogeneity (I² 75-85%) affects confidence in the effect estimates.
Why it matters
Understanding and addressing ageism in medical education is crucial for improving the quality of care for older adults. Positive attitudes among future healthcare providers can enhance interactions and outcomes for this growing population.
What to keep in mind
High heterogeneity in the studies may limit the reliability of the effect estimates.