Abstract :
[en] Elderspeak is often used when talking to older individuals and is characterized by a slower and/or louder speech, a patronizing tone, etc. A part of the reason of such communication can be found in the actual context of negative view of aging. However, the link between view of aging and elderspeak has never been objectively studied in oncology. Therefore, 40 healthcare professionals (physicians and medical students) record a podcast where they have to explain an endocrine therapy to two fictional patients (40 vs 70 years old). Results show that when participants explained the treatment to the older patient, they used shorter utterances and made more repetitions. They also evoked fewer side effects such as sexual issues. Moreover, reduction of length of utterances and of word-per-minute rate was observed for older patient when participants have a positive view of aging but for both patients when they have a negative view of aging. In conclusion, physicians and medical students used elderspeak when they explained a treatment to older patients. Participants with a more negative view of aging also unconsciously talked slower and made shorter utterances to a 40 year-old patient.
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