A roadmap for preventing ageism in healthcare : perspectives from Slovenian healthcare professionals

Mihevc, Špela (author), Galof, Katarina (author), Rotar-Pavlič, Danica (author)

This qualitative study explores Slovenian healthcare professionals’ perceptions of ageism in their work environments and their role in fostering relationships to prevent ageism with older adults. A phenomenological approach was used, grounded in hermeneutic phenomenology, and reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. Data were collected via eight focus groups from September 2024 to June 2025, involving 38 participants from various healthcare sectors. The study revealed that healthcare professionals acknowledge the prevalence of ageism and recognize their role in fostering respectful relationships with older adults. Key strategies for preventing ageism included empathy, interprofessional collaboration, and ongoing professional development. Organizational factors such as leadership and institutional culture were identified as critical in addressing ageism. Combating ageism in healthcare requires a multilayered approach, including education, organizational change, and systemic reforms. These findings highlight the need for integrated educational, organizational, and systemic interventions to support ageinclusive care in healthcare settings.

• Language: English
• Keywords: lifelong learning, communication, intergenerational cooperation, teamwork, combating discrimination
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: MF - Faculty of Medicine
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 17 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 41, art. 35
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-184376
• UDC: 614
• ISSN on article: 1573-0719
• DOI: 10.1007/s10823-026-09586-9
• COBISS.SI-ID: 282028547
• Publication date in RUL: 06.07.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Journal of cross-cultural gerontology
• Shortened title: J. cross-cult. gerontol.
• Publisher: Springer Nature
• ISSN: 1573-0719
• COBISS.SI-ID: 513183513

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.