A SURVEY OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRISTS IN THE US REGARDING RESEARCH.

A questionnaire survey was conducted to elicit responses regarding research-related experiences and attitudes among the members of the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry. Nineteen per cent of the 1200 members to whom the questionnaire was sent responded. An analysis revealed that, while an overwhelming majority (85%) of the respondents felt that geriatric research was important, most encountered enormous barriers. These barriers ranged from funding and time constraints to a lack of training programs and institutional support, to the methodological issues in doing research on an elderly population. A majority of the respondents suggested that more funding be made available for research, and for research training (fellowship and residency programs), start-up projects for private practice research, and improvement of methodology and protocols. Another frequent recommendation was for increasing collaboration among investigators, including setting up centers for cooperative studies and training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]