The American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) estimates that over 77% of older adults aged 50 and older in the United States “want to remain in their homes for the long term” (2021). However, many older adults face persistent barriers rooted in inadequate supports related to their social determinants of health (SDOH), including food insecurity, limited language proficiency, and inadequate access to culturally competent care. These, in turn, result in decreased quality-of-life as well as increased risk for cognitive disorders and chronic conditions, making it difficult for older adults to live at home long-term.
Experiential education in community contexts helps not only to prepare the interprofessional team to be collaborative practice-ready when entering the workforce but also immediately meets the needs of older adults in the comfort of their own residence. Experiential IPE training programs provide an opportunity to enhance learner’s knowledge about and ability to recognize and address the social determinants of health that impact the health and well-being of vulnerable older adult populations. However, while literature has provided a great wealth of knowledge about the improvements on the participant’s part, there are gaps when it comes to recognizing the potential impact of collaborative learning.
This lightning talk explores how a 6-month Interprofessional Education and Geriatric Curriculum (IEGC) program served not only as a learning platform for health professions students, but as a meaningful intervention for community-dwelling older adults navigating these very challenges.
Data is gathered from a 6-month community-based Interprofessional Education and Geriatric Curriculum (IEGC) program involving teams of faculty facilitators and students from the Schools of Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physician Assistants, Physical Therapy, Psychology and Social Work. IEGC includes community-dwelling older adults who both participate in didactic sessions and are assigned to interact weekly with interprofessional teams where students learn from, with and about older adults, apply didactic content and skills, and share resources to meet identified SDOH needs throughout the program.
This lightning talk addresses the conference theme 4 Advancing Interprofessional Care through Practice-Education Partnerships by highlighting a 6 month interdisciplinary community-based Interprofessional Education and Geriatric Curriculum (IEGC) that involves teams of faculty facilitators, students and community-dwelling older adults. The perspectives of community-dwelling older adults and the program’s impact on their health and well-being as well as takeaways from health profession graduates 1-3 years post-graduation will be summarized.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (National Center OICPD). The National Center OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.
