Continuing education needs in geriatrics/gerontology: Specifying occupational and organizational attributes of service professionals

An analysis was made of gerontological continuing education (CE) needs of a systematic sample of health care professionals providing services to the aged in New York State (U.S.). Professionals with previous exposure to gerontological CE programs were found to have higher need levels than those without such experience. Those with less than 1 year and those with 5 to 9 years of work experience with the aged appear significantly less interested in acquiring new gerontological skills and knowledge than those with either limited (2-4 years) or extensive (>10 years) experience. This nonlinear need pattern is established for all care providers, regardless of educational background. Interest in the CE topics listed is higher among nurses, social workers, and allied health professionals than among M.D.s and Ph.D.s. Clearly, professionals who have extensive daily contacts with the aged express the highest need for CE in gerontology. They appreciate multiple didactic formats and formal credit for CE attendance. Through the detailed analysis of CE needs of health care professionals dealing with the elderly, a clearer picture of how to serve them emerged. Combining future marketing efforts with applied social research goals in this area is highly recommended.