A nursing home/university exchange program: an alternative model for teaching nursing homes

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Education
• Interprofessional Collaboration

Background:

• The ideal teaching nursing home model is resource-intensive.
• Existing models may not fully meet the dual needs of high-quality elder care and professional development.
• There is a need for accessible, effective models for nursing home-university partnerships.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a nursing home/university exchange program as a viable alternative to the ideal teaching nursing home model.
• To explore the program's capacity to improve the quality of care for the elderly.
• To assess the program's potential for fostering interdisciplinary cohesion and university affiliation.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of an interdisciplinary exchange program between a nursing home and a university.
• Focus on collaborative educational and clinical practice opportunities.
• Adaptable model designed for commitment to improving quality of life for older adults.

Main Results:

• The exchange program effectively meets key objectives of high-quality elderly care.
• It enhances cohesiveness within the nursing home setting.
• It increases opportunities for university affiliation and professional development for practitioners.

Conclusions:

• The nursing home/university exchange program is a practical and adaptable model for improving elder care.
• It offers significant benefits to academicians, administrators, students, service providers, and older individuals.
• This model provides an achievable pathway for institutions lacking resources for an ideal teaching nursing home.