A scale identifying 141 medical students who responded positively to geriatric patients was based on Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale modified by adding a phrase about geriatric care. Personal and professional role traits that predicted a positive therapeutic attitude were high scores on social desirability or self-monitoring and low scores on thanatophobia and depression. Senior medical students who expressed the highest self-esteem toward caring for elderly people indicated family medicine as their first choice of residency.
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