Treatment patterns of elderly patients in biokinetic practices in Gauteng province, South Africa

Abstract

The global increase in the elderly population has led to a higher demand for specialised healthcare services, including biokinetics^# . Ageing is associated with a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, functional decline, and age-related disorders, necessitating tailored interventions to maintain good health and quality of life. This study assessed the treatment patterns of elderly patients in biokinetics practices in Gauteng province of South Africa. Using a cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative research design, 53 biokineticists (9 males, 44 females; Mean age: 32.9±7.0 years [range: 24 to 54 years]) were surveyed regarding their treatment experiences with elderly patients from 2023 to 2024. Most surveyed biokineticists were women (83%), with a mean age of 32.9±6.99 years. Professional experience varied, with 41.5% having between two and five years of experience, and 58.5% more than five years of experience in practice. Findings indicated that most of the participants have treated seemingly healthy older adults (98.1%) as well as those with chronic conditions (96.2%) and age-related (98.1%) ailments. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between years of experience and the treatment of elderly patients. These findings highlight the role of biokinetics in elderly care and underscore the need for further research on factors influencing treatment patterns of the elderly at biokinetics practices in the province. The study also emphasises the importance of promoting training and development opportunities for biokineticists to better address the healthcare needs of the ageing population.