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Cited by 264Aging and Gerontology ResearchObesity and Health PracticesPatient-Provider Communication in Healthcare

Ageism in the Health Care System: Providers, Patients, and Systems

Open access
Wyman, Mary F., Shiovitz-Ezra, Sharon, Bengel, Jürgen·2018·International Perspectives on Aging
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-73820-8_13
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Abstract

Older adults are major consumers of health care. Within the context of an ageing society, their presence in the health care system will continue to grow. Ageist stereotypes and discrimination against older adults have an impact on the health and well-being of older citizens and are potential barriers to health equality. This chapter addresses ageism at different levels of the health care setting with a review of empirical research and health care policy. At the micro (personal) level, manifestations of ageism include attitudes toward older adults among physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals. Ageist communication styles used with older patients, age-biased clinical decision-making regarding diagnostics and treatments, and self-directed ageism in older patients are also discussed. Macro-level (institutional or structural) aspects of ageism are then examined, as reflected in health care reimbursement structures, participation of older adults in clinical trials, institutional policies governing care, and the lack of emphasis on geriatric-specific training for health care professionals. The chapter closes with an integration of the findings and a discussion of the challenges in identifying and reducing ageism in this setting. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations for future research and practice are made.

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Crossref · 10.1007/978-3-319-73820-8_13

Cites

105 of 105 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Age inequality manifests in numerous settings, such as the workplace and the health care system.

    “It also manifests in numerous settings, such as the workplace and the health care system.”

    From Centering Age Inequality: Developing a Sociology-of-Age Framework (2022) · cites this paper as Wyman et al. 2018

    Section 13.3 states that age discrimination is present in health care systems and policies, supporting the health care example. The chapter focuses on health care; the passages do not substantiate the workplace example or the broader claim about numerous settings (searched: workplace, employment). Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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  • Older adults are more likely to be treated in a patronizing manner and to have their concerns dismissed by health care providers, who may attribute them to the declines that are assumed to inevitably occur with age.

    “Older adults are more likely to be treated in a patronizing manner and to have their concerns dismissed by health care providers, who may attribute them to the declines that are assumed to inevitably occur with age (Estes & Binney 1989, Wyman et al. 2018).”

    From Centering Age Inequality: Developing a Sociology-of-Age Framework (2022) · cites this paper as Wyman et al. 2018

    Section 13.2.2 (page unavailable) reports patronizing communication with older patients and less involvement in medical decisions than with younger patients. It does not establish that providers dismiss patients’ concerns because they attribute them to inevitable age-related decline. Section 13.2.4 discusses regarding pain as a normal part of aging, but attributes that belief to older patients themselves. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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  • In the health care system, ageism is prevalent and often discounted.

    “In the health care system, ageism is also prevalent and often discounted.”

    From Centering Age Inequality: Developing a Sociology-of-Age Framework (2022) · cites this paper as Wyman et al. 2018

    The Conclusions and Recommendations (§13.4; page unavailable) say there is ample evidence that age-based discrimination is common in health care and call ageism a powerful force. The chapter urges identification of ageist practices, but the passages do not establish that ageism itself is often discounted. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Older adults are more likely to receive inadequate or delayed screening and treatment-or to be denied them altogether due to age-based rationing.

    “Consistent with this observation, older adults are more likely to receive inadequate or delayed screening and treatment-or to be denied them altogether due to age-based rationing (Wyman et al. 2018).”

    From Centering Age Inequality: Developing a Sociology-of-Age Framework (2022) · cites this paper as Wyman et al. 2018

    Section 13.2.1 reports age-based disparities in diagnostic procedures and treatments, and section 13.3.1 describes reduced access to care, age limits on screening, and rationing debates. These passages support unequal or denied access, but they do not establish that screening and treatment are delayed or that all the described disparities result from age-based rationing. Page numbers were not supplied in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Cites

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1 of the 106 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Lievesley, N. (2009). Ageism and age discrimination in secondary health care in the United Kingdom: A review from the literature. London: Centre for Policy on Aging Department of Health.

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Authors
Wyman, M. F., Shiovitz-Ezra, S., & Bengel, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
  • University of Freiburg (DE)
Corresponding author
Wyman, Mary F.
ORCID
Venue
International Perspectives on Aging
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published
2018
Pages
193-212
ISSN
  • 2197-5841 (ISSN-L)
  • 2197-585X
DOI
10.1007/978-3-319-73820-8_13
OpenAlex
W2804527861
Cited by
263
References
106
Citations by year
2026: 25 · 2025: 37 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 44 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 5
FWCI
57.21
Type
book chapter
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
International perspectives on aging (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
Keywords
ageism, ageism in healthcare, older adults, ageist stereotypes, age discrimination, health care reimbursement, clinical trials in older adults, geriatric training, health equality, health policy

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