Effect of short-term research training programs on medical students’ attitudes toward aging

Abstract

Strategies to build a larger workforce of physicians dedicated to research on aging are needed. One method to address this shortage of physician scientists in geriatrics is short-term training in aging research for early-stage medical students. The authors examined the effects of two summer research training programs, funded by the National Institutes of Health, on medical students’ attitudes toward aging, using the Carolina Opinions on Care of Older Adults (COCOA). The programs combined mentored research, didactics, and some clinical exposure. In a sample of 134 participants, COCOA scores improved significantly after completion of the research training program. There was a significant interaction of gender, such that female students had higher baseline scores than males, but this gender difference in COCOA scores was attenuated following the program. Four of the six COCOA subscales showed significant improvement from baseline: Early Interest in Geriatrics, Empathy/Compassion, Attitudes toward Geriatrics Careers, and Ageism.

What Is the State of Compassion Education? A Systematic Review of Compassion Training in Health Care

“…Two studentships were developed or evaluated as compassion education interventions, providing learners with short-term exposure to the main challenges facing patients and their families. These studentships included 2 summer research training programs funded by the National Institutes of Health: one was designed to positively influence medical students’ attitudes toward older adults 82 and the other, the Cross Cancer Institute Multidisciplinary Summer Studentship in Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology, was designed to expose medical students to issues facing patients and their families following a cancer diagnosis. 83 The studentships used mixed teaching methods that included mentored research projects, didactic learning, and clinical exposure.…”

“… 83 The studentships used mixed teaching methods that included mentored research projects, didactic learning, and clinical exposure. 82 , 83 The effectiveness of these studentships as compassion education interventions was assessed from learners’ self-report using reflection 83 or scores on a validated scale. 82 Learners gained experience in team-based skills and providing compassion and became advocates for patient-centered care.…”

“… 82 , 83 The effectiveness of these studentships as compassion education interventions was assessed from learners’ self-report using reflection 83 or scores on a validated scale. 82 Learners gained experience in team-based skills and providing compassion and became advocates for patient-centered care. Learners reported increased empathy and/or compassion, appreciating that patient care extends beyond attention to physical symptoms alone, and being able to see health care from the patient’s perspective.…”

“…Learners reported increased empathy and/or compassion, appreciating that patient care extends beyond attention to physical symptoms alone, and being able to see health care from the patient’s perspective. 82 , 83 …”

A scoping review of the changing landscape of geriatric medicine in undergraduate medical education: curricula, topics and teaching methods

“…Short-term research training programmes focussed on ageing have been shown to improve medical students’ attitudes toward ageing and older adults and promote interest in Geriatrics as a career [ 67 ]. In many American Universities, scholarly concentration programmes provide undergraduate medical students with opportunities for scholarship in their chosen areas of interest, beyond their traditional core curricula.…”