COCOA: A New Validated Instrument to Assess Medical Students' Attitudes Towards Older Adults

This study tested the reliability and validity of the Carolina Opinions on Care of Older Adults (COCOA) survey compared with the Geriatric Assessment Survey (GAS). Participants were first year medical students (n = 160). A Linear Structural Relations (LISREL) measurement model for COCOA had a moderately strong fit that was significantly better than the null model (GFI = 0.81, TLI = 0.90) and the GAS (GFI = 0.76). A reduced, 24-item COCOA performed well (GFI = 0.90, TLI = 1.00) with R 2 = .595 on five factors. The COCOA and GAS represent complementary instruments for assessing attitudes towards older adults.

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