Geriatric Pharmacy Education: A Strategic Plan for the Future

Objective. To determine whether a required interprofessional geriatric medication activity within a senior mentor program changed pharmacy and medical students' attitudes regarding interprofessional collaboration. Design. Interprofessional teams, consisting of 1 third-year pharmacy student and 2 second-year medical students, conducted an in-home interview and medication history with a senior mentor (geriatric patient). The team members then collaboratively analyzed and discussed the patient's medication use and wrote an essay in which they identified the patient's medication problems and reflected on the interprofessional experience. Assessment. Students completed a validated survey instrument to measure pharmacist-physician attitudes about interprofessional collaboration before and after the experience. Pharmacy and medical students' already generally positive attitudes regarding interprofessional relationships were maintained and, in some instances, significantly improved. Students found the activity enhanced their geriatric training and increased their understanding of an interprofessional team. Conclusion. Incorporation of a geriatric medication activity within a senior mentor program maintained or improved pharmacy and medical students' positive attitudes about interprofessional collaboration and enhanced geriatric training within the curriculum.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Introprofessional Geriatric Medication Activity Within a Senior Mentor Program

Shrader

Hummel

Byrd

et al. 2013

“…2 Because older adults are the largest consumers of prescription medications, 3 pharmacists and student pharmacists should be well-prepared to address the medication-related needs of the growing population of older adults. 4 However, students and new pharmacist practitioners may have difficulty understanding and empathizing with older adults as they may not have yet experienced aging-related challenges, such as disability and disease.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This can be accomplished using several means, such as clinical experiences, interprofessional practice experiences, introductory and advanced pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs and APPEs), and geriatric elective courses. 4,8,12,15,20 Simulation games also are a useful method for teaching concepts to students because they actively involve students in the learning process 4,6,21 and allow them to experience and respond to situations in a safe learning environment without real consequences. 6,21 Several games have been developed to simulate the aging process and improve student healthcare professional attitudes and knowledge, 6,11,13,14,23-25 but few focus on medication-related problems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the Geriatric Medication Game on Pharmacy Students’ Attitudes Toward Older Adults

Chen¹,

Plake²,

Yehle³

et al. 2011

Objective. To examine the impact of participation in the Geriatric Medication Game on pharmacy students' perceptions of and attitudes toward older adults and familiarity with common disabilities that affect them and the process of seeking health care. Design. In the game, first-year pharmacy students "became" older adults during a 3-hour pharmacy practice laboratory. They were given aging-related challenges (eg, impaired vision or mobility) and participated as patients in simulated healthcare scenarios, such as a visit to a physician's office and a pharmacy. Assessment. After playing the game, students completed a 5-question reflection about their experiences and attitudes toward older adults. Content analysis was performed to identify themes from 4 years of student (n 5 625) reflections. Predominant themes included: improved attitudes toward older adults, better understanding of patient experiences, and increased willingness to provide assistance. Conclusions. Incorporating the Geriatric Medication Game into the pharmacy curriculum may facilitate students' understanding of the challenges that older adults face and improve future interactions.

“…3 The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) competencies also stress the importance of developing appropriate communication skills, which are difficult to teach in the classroom. Thus, a mix of teaching and learning methods that reflected the ACPE standards on the importance of lifelong learning and emphasize patient safety, cultural competence, health literacy, health care disparities, and interdisciplinary teamwork was included in the course.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Active-Learning Course Model to Teach Pharmacotherapy in Geriatrics

Estus¹,

Hume²,

Owens

2010

Objective. To describe the development, implementation, and assessment of a geriatric pharmacotherapy elective course emphasizing a patient-centered approach and active, self-directed learning strategies. Design. The course content included fundamental concepts in aging, geriatric syndromes, activities involving assessment of medically complex older adults, presentation of controversies in clinical geriatrics, book and film clubs, an Adopt-a-Patient project, and scientific and reflective writing. Students participated in site visits to interview and interact with older adults. Assessment. Student evaluation of the course was assessed with the teaching evaluation tool, an endof-semester survey, a follow-up P4 survey, and reflective writings. Students strongly agreed that course goals were achieved. Learning how to communicate with older adults and assess complex medication regimens were the areas of highest importance to students. P4 students strongly agreed that skills learned in the course were important to their success in advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). Conclusion. A pharmacotherapy course emphasizing active and self-directed learning in geriatrics through innovative teaching was adaptable to doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students at various stages of their training and improved students' perceptions of aging.