Fernando Morales-Martínez, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
Background: The current research describes how social actors characterize the integral attention of the older person in the context of the National Geriatric and Gerontology Hospital affiliated with the University of Costa Rica. Objective: The objective is to understand the perspectives of different social actors regarding the integral care provided to older persons patients in this specific hospital setting. Material and methods: The study used a node definition derived from the theoretical analysis of genetic epistemology (building the knowledge), complex systems (particular aspects and processes of a discipline), interdisciplinarity (knowledge and respect for action), and @cyberculture (communication, information, and research). Data were obtained from the participation of two groups: 15 healthcare professionals from the National Geriatric and Gerontology Hospital, and 20 senior citizens who are members of the National Teachers’ Pension and Retirement. Results: The data supported the relevance of establishing a university hospital in Geriatrics and Gerontology in Costa Rica, within a context of pronounced population aging and the absence of reference experiences related to this type of hospital care model. From a discourse analysis perspective, the contributions of the social actors highlighted the need for such a university hospital. Conclusion: The need is established for a University Hospital in Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Costa Rica that responds to the country’s demographic and social reality, with the aim of improving the comprehensive care of the older person.
Keywords: Attention integral. Older person. Hospital university.
