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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Anne M. Summer, RN, PA, MS(pend)¹, Carl M. Toney, PA¹, Elisabeth Rudenberg, DO, MS PH¹, and Nancy MacRae, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA². (1) College of Health Professions, Physician Assistant Program, University of New England, 716 Stevens Avenue, Portland, ME 04103-2670, 207-885-1321, asummer@une.edu, (2) College of Health Professions, Occupational Therapy Department, 716 Stevens Avenue, Portland, ME 04103-2670

The University of New England received grant funding in 2003 from the Bureau of Health Professions, Human Resources & Services Administration to develop an innovative geriatric education project: The Interdisciplinary Geriatric Education Program [IGEP]. Proposed session will describe the operation and evaluation of IGEP. Based in the College of Health Professions, IGEP is a yearlong curriculum involving faculty and students representing: Dental Hygiene, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Social Work, Externs from Boston University School of Dentistry; and, elders serving as community adjunct faculty. Utilizing home visits to elders as the instructional centerpiece, IGEP provides a series of community-based learning experiences to model and instruct students in working collaboratively, and learning to provide knowledgeable, compassionate, interdisciplinary team health care for older persons. Separate didactic presentations address content in gerontology, geriatrics, communications, and health systems. Relationship-centered care is emphasized throughout. There are three operational themes: Turf – Helping students understand their own, emerging professional roles; Team – Educating students about professional roles of all members of the IGEP, and about team formation and functioning; and Town – Becoming knowledgeable about societal issues impacting elders. To date, approximately 130 students have been involved in the program. Through written and interactive experiences students demonstrate improved clinical/professional skills. Via reflective journals, students describe profound positive changes in attitudes towards older adults, and greater understanding and appreciation of other disciplines' contributions to patient care.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

• Describe three learning themes to address in constructing interdisciplinary geriatric educational initiatives.
• Discuss three crucial issues in creating academic partnerships with community elders.
• Construct a community based, interdisciplinary, geriatric educational model involving health professions' learners and faculty, and community dwelling elders.

Keywords: Aging, Workforce

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered