Background Emergency physicians (EPs) provide care to older adults with complex health problems. Treating these patients is challenging for many EPs, which might originate from modest geriatric education. Objective Our aim was to assess EPs’ self-perceived needs regarding geriatric emergency medicine (GEM) education, factors determining these needs and the utilization of this education. Our secondary aim was to assess emergency department (ED) managers’ view and support for GEM education. Methods All EPs and ED managers in the Netherlands received a survey by e-mail. The questionnaires focused on EPs’ needs in GEM education, EPs’ utilization of GEM education and managerial support for GEM education. We used descriptive statistics to analyse needs, utilization of- and support for GEM education. Regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with EPs’ need for GEM education. Results EPs reported to need better training in diagnosing, treating and communicating with older adults. Seventy percent of EPs reported no GEM education program in their hospital, and 83% reported no utilization of GEM education outside their hospital. EPs working in EDs with a possibility for geriatric consultation, and EPs aware of actual GEM education programs, had lower educational needs. Of responding managers, 86.2% reported the care for older adults as an important topic; lack of finances and time were obstacles to provide GEM education for EPs. Conclusion EPs in the Netherlands feel insufficiently educated to treat older adults. ED managers largely recognize this educational challenge. This nationwide survey underlines the need to prioritize GEM education for EPs.

中文翻译：

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荷兰急诊医师在老年急诊医学方面的教育不足：一项全国性调查的结果

背景 急诊医师 (EP) 为患有复杂健康问题的老年人提供护理。治疗这些患者对许多 EP 来说具有挑战性，这可能源于适度的老年病学教育。目的 我们的目的是评估 EP 对老年急诊医学 (GEM) 教育的自我感知需求、决定这些需求的因素以及这种教育的利用。我们的次要目标是评估急诊科 (ED) 经理对 GEM 教育的看法和支持。方法 荷兰的所有 EP 和 ED 经理都通过电子邮件收到了一份调查问卷。问卷主要针对EPs在GEM教育中的需求、EPs对GEM教育的利用以及对GEM教育的管理支持。我们使用描述性统计来分析 GEM 教育的需求、利用和支持。回归分析用于确定与 EP 需要 GEM 教育相关的因素。结果 EP 报告在诊断、治疗和与老年人沟通方面需要更好的培训。70% 的 EP 报告说他们的医院没有 GEM 教育计划，83% 的 EP 报告在他们的医院外没有使用 GEM 教育。在 ED 工作并有可能进行老年科咨询的 EP 以及了解实际 GEM 教育计划的 EP 的教育需求较低。在回复的管理者中，86.2% 的管理者将老年人护理列为重要话题；缺乏资金和时间是为 EP 提供 GEM 教育的障碍。结论 荷兰的 EP 认为他们没有接受足够的教育来治疗老年人。ED 经理在很大程度上认识到这一教育挑战。