| Sumario: | Purpose To analyze student attitudes toward caring for older adults. Methods To gauge student attitudes toward caring for older adults, the Carolina Opinions on Care of Older Adults (COCOA) survey was given before and after an interactive educational module delivered by a content expert on aging. Six subscales were used to measure attitudes: early interest in geriatrics, empathy and compassion, attitudes toward careers in geriatrics, ageism, clinical and social services for older adults, and social value of older adults. The Relational Aging Anxiety Scale (RAAS) also was provided directly before delivery of the educational module to gauge collective affinity for older people, feelings about personal aging, and relational aging. Descriptive analysis and independent t tests were employed for the COCOA survey, and means were calculated for the RAAS survey. Results Participating students demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the COCOA subscale measuring ageist attitudes after delivery of the educational module (t 5 2.335, P 5 .02). The RAAS survey did not demonstrate that students had low collective affinity for older people, and they were not negative about personal aging or relational aging. Discussion Development and use of an educational module focusing on care for older adults can decrease ageist attitudes. Helping students recognize unconscious bias against older people can be an important step in changing ageist speech and behaviors. Conclusion As the baby boomer population uses the health care system at greater rates, ensuring the delivery of compassionate and equitable care is important. Educating radiologic science students about the unique components of caring for older adults is warranted now and in the future.
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