Knowledge, Attitude and Need Assessment Regarding Geriatric Health Care Among the Geriatric Outpatients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Puducherry.

Back ground India is undergoing both epidemiologic and demographic transition. Geriatrics and geriatric health care are in very early stages in India. 1. To evaluate the attitude of geriatric patients toward specialized Objectives geriatric healthcare. 2. To assess the willingness of geriatric patients to spend more time for checkups and follow-ups regularly. 3. To identify the level of satisfaction among geriatric patients with the existing healthcare. The present study was cross sec Material And Methods tional study carried out in the department of general medicine among patients aged more than 60 years of age. The study period was 3 months. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. The sample size was estimated to 240. The data was collected in a semi structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Results 208 (86.7%) were satised with the health care provided. 122 (50.8%) reported that they used to avoid visiting health care unit due to fear of going to hospitals / doctors. 210 (87.5%) believed specialized OPDs provide better accessibility for elderly patients. 231 (96.3%) believed the cost of medicine provided for elderly should be free or subsided or reduced. Conclusion The elderly patients are quite satised with the care provided. A visiting health care provider at home and mobile unit will aid in increasing the quality of care provided to the elderly. The burden of health care costs among elderly shall also be explored in the future research. There is also need for the implementation of specialized geriatric health care unit in the near future.