Nursing staff’s perspectives on and knowledge about geriatric care using the geriatric institutional assessment profile in Denmark

Background: Preventing adverse outcomes in older hospitalized adults requires gerontological and geriatric knowledge, including care approaches tailored to their complex needs. To improve geriatric care standards, it is important to gain knowledge of hospital-employed staff’s knowledge about care of older adults and their patterns of care. This study aimed to assess Danish hospital-employed nursing staff’s general knowledge about older adults, their clinical geriatric knowledge and their perceptions of the geriatric care environment using the Geriatric Institutional Assessment Profile (GIAP). 

Methods: An exploratory, cross-sectional survey was conducted at a large university hospital in Denmark. Nursing staff from medical, surgical, emergency, and other clinical departments were invited to complete the GIAP via REDCap between March 23 and May 1, 2024. 

Results: Fifty nurses and nursing assistants (94% female) participated. General knowledge about older adults was moderate (mean 6.88, SD 1.33 out of 10). Highest knowledge areas included falls, pain, and incontinence; lowest were nutrition, ADL assessments, and skin issues. Participants reported providing person-centered care and treating older adults with respect but noted poor continuity of care and resource constraints. Institutional support for geriatric education and practice change was rated poorly. 

Conclusions: The study highlights strengths and critical gaps in geriatric care, including limited resources, staffing, continuity, and formal training support. Targeted education, improved staffing models, and stronger organizational backing are needed to enhance care quality and prevent hospital-associated complications in older adults.