Study of Opposition to Diagnostic Procedures or Treatments in Elderly People Hospitalized in Acute Geriatric Services

Research into opposition to medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the elderly is rare. Yet it is by understanding the meaning of this opposition that we can provide support and possible answers to patients, but also to families and care teams. No scientific research has yet focused on the experience of an elderly patient who opposes the medical treatments provided in the acute phase.

The aim of the quantitative component is therefore to characterize, on an epidemiological basis, this population of elderly hospitalized patients who oppose diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, based on medical and medico-social data usually collected in the care of such patients.

The qualitative component of the OPTAH study, thus wishes to explore the meaning that opposition to diagnostic or therapeutic procedures may have for an elderly patient hospitalized in an acute geriatric ward, and how it is received and perceived by those around him and by professionals.