Assessment of continuing education needs for doctors in facilities for the elderly

Abstract

Introduction
There are about 3,000 facilities for the elderly (elderly facilities, EFs) where physicians are employed to manage the health of the elderly in Japan. To date, neither a system nor a continuing educational program has been developed for certifying or supporting physicians in the management of EFs. Hitherto, various medical problems have been reported in EFs. Physicians serving in them are required to maximize the safety of the elderly with limited financial support and medical costs.
Methods
Continuing educational needs for EF physicians were elucidated by qualitative methods, with reference also to their practical needs and preferred learning styles, via questionnaires distributed in 35 EFs in Hyogo Prefecture (response rate: 31%).
Results
The results showed that relevant and complementary educational needs were required for: (i) diagnosis of dementia, (ii) management of the behavioral psychological symptoms of dementia, and (iii) familiarization of the medical staff involved in elderly care. The most favored learning styles involved lectures, textbooks and journals. In contrast to those 40% of physicians who preferred to use educational web sites, those with more than 40 years of experience in medicine tended not to.
Conclusion
Relevant complementary and supporting educational programs based on the results of this study should be developed for physicians at EFs to facilitate provision of health care.