Epistemic humility: addressing ageism toward older patients

Abstract

The rise of ageist beliefs and practices negatively affects the delivery of quality care for older persons. When ageism is practiced by healthcare providers and institutions, it not only limits patient participation but also decreases healthcare outcomes and further isolates an already isolated population. In this contribution, we consider how the development and practice of epistemic humility may improve care for this group. By epistemic humility, we refer to the virtue of developing both an inward perspective (an awareness of the limits of one’s epistemic capacities) and an outward perspective (a disposition to seek alternative resources to overcome one’s shortcomings). We consider what kind of resources and opportunities future and current healthcare providers may need to develop and practice epistemic humility toward their older patients. Among proposals to be discussed include: (1) at the level of training, teaching students to value humility and develop critical thinking skills on intergenerational perspectives; (2) integrating older patient advocates in care and training to enable healthcare professionals to understand a greater diversity of patient perspectives; (3) developing patient empowerment programs adapted to the desires and capabilities of older patients, in particular through phenomenological methods.