The Impact of an Interprofessional Geriatric Training Experience: Attitudes of Future Healthcare Providers

Abstract

As the older adult population increases, it is vital to educate and train healthcare providers as members of interprofessional healthcare teams who can work effectively with these individuals. Ageism is a potential obstacle to achieving this goal. The purpose of this pre/post-test design pilot study was to determine the impact of an interprofessional geriatric training experience on the attitudes of future healthcare providers towards interprofessionalism and working with older adults. Sixteen graduate level students from occupational therapy and clinical psychology programs completed four interprofessional sessions with older adults residing in a long-term care facility. Quantitative data were gathered from pre/post-test scores on three instruments: (1) Self-Perceptions and Older Adults Questionnaire; (2) A Refined Version of Aging Semantic Differential; and (3) Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale. Results of paired sample t tests indicated that participants described older adults significantly more positively and their perceptions about working with older adults became significantly more positive following the interprofessional geriatric training experience. Additional data were gathered regarding participants' perceptions of the interprofessional training experiences at the conclusion of the study. This feedback regarding students' perceptions of the interprofessional geriatric training experiences indicated that the majority of the participants found the experiences with the older adults to be valuable and that the interprofessional learning activities helped them better understand the older adults. The results of this pilot study suggest that even short-term interprofessional experiences may have the ability to positively influence the attitudes of future healthcare providers regarding older adults.

Innovative education training program of hajj healthcare workers improves the outcomes of Indonesian elderly hajj pilgrims

“…Thus, it is important to educate and train health providers so that they can work effectively with patients from older age groups. Lisa et al reported that working experience with older people was valuable to get a better understanding of their problems (Knecht-Sabres et al, 2018). Furthermore, the emotional state of the health provider concerning elderly patients also contributes to the outcomes of care (Crespo et al, 2019).…”

“…Moreover, not all HHWI have the same work experience, which has an impact on the pilgrims' health services. Almost all embarkations lacked health briefings and practical recommendations for dealing with elderly pilgrims, and some did not even provide any (Fahham et al, 2018;Ministry of Religious Affairs, 2013;Knecht-Sabres et al, 2018;Singka & Ericca, 2020).…”