“What’s Going to Happen?”: Internal Medicine Resident Experiences of Uncertainty in the Care of Older Adults

Internal medicine residents care for clinically complex older adults and may experience increased moral distress due to knowledge gaps, time constraints, and institutional barriers. We conducted a phenomenological study to explore residents’ experiences and challenges through the lens of uncertainty. Between January and March 2022, six focus groups were conducted comprising a total of 13 internal medicine residents in postgraduate years 2 and 3, who had completed a required 2-week geriatrics rotation. Applying the Beresford taxonomy of uncertainty as a conceptual model, data were analyzed using the framework method. All challenging experiences described by residents caring for older adults were linked to uncertainty. Sources of uncertainty were categorized and mapped to the Beresford taxonomy: (1) lack of geriatrics knowledge or clinical guidelines (technical); (2) difficulty applying knowledge to complex older adults (conceptual); and (3) lack of longitudinal relationship with the older patient (personal). Residents identified capacity evaluation and discharge planning as two major geriatric knowledge areas linked with uncertainty. While the majority of residents reacted to uncertainty with some degree of distress, several reported positive coping strategies. Internal medicine residents face uncertainty when caring for older adults, particularly related to technical and conceptual factors. Strategies for mitigating uncertainty in the care of older adults are needed given links with moral distress and trainee well-being.