A group of 179 psychiatrists responded to a questionnaire requesting
their opinions concerning four clinical vignettes. Analysis of their
responses indicated that these psychiatrists, at a highly statistically
significant level, regarded older patients as less ideal for their
practices than younger patients with identical symptoms. The respondents
viewed the older patients as having a poorer prognosis, and their treatment
plans for them were less likely to emphasize psychotherapy. In general,
there was a negative correlation between the age of the respondent
psychiatrists and their estimate of the "idealness" of and favorable
prognosis for older patients.Abstract Teaser