Educational interventions to improve student nurses' knowledge, attitudes, or willingness to work with older people: a systematic review of quantitative findings

The purpose of this systematic literature review of quantitative findings was to examine the effectiveness of educational interventions to improve gerontological knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to work with older people in baccalaureate nursing students. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted in five databases. Quality assessment was conducted using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 41 papers were included in the review. The overall quality of studies included was moderate. The interventions were classified as education content, simulation or immersion experiences, clinical placement, or a combination of these pedagogical approaches. Majority of studies demonstrated improvement in knowledge and attitudes but there was a limited change in willingness to work with older people. There is insufficient evidence to make recommendations for the most effective educational intervention for enhancing bachelor of nursing students' willingness to engage in gerontological care.