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Unique issues of older medical students
S Kick1, L Adams, A O'Brien-Gonzales
1Departments of Medicine and Family Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 East Ninth Avenue, Box B-212, Denver, CO 80262, USA. steven.kick@uchsc.edu
Teaching and Learning in Medicine
|March 7, 2001
Summary
Older medical students face unique challenges, including greater personal responsibilities and differing learning strategies compared to their younger peers. This study highlights their distinct needs within medical education.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Student Attitudes
- Gerontology in Medicine
Background:
- An increasing number of medical school applicants have prior career experiences.
- Older medical students often encounter distinct challenges compared to traditional-aged peers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential differences in attitudes and beliefs between younger and older medical students.
- To identify unique concerns of older medical students regarding the learning environment and personal life impact.
Main Methods:
- A two-part study involving a focus group and a questionnaire administered to fourth-year medical students.
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis of themes and responses, focusing on age-related differences.
Main Results:
- Older students reported increased home responsibilities impacting study time (p = .0001).
- A trend suggested older students felt prior experiences enhanced their learning (p = .06).
- Older students' open-ended responses were longer and more emphatic.
Conclusions:
- Older medical students express specific concerns about their learning environment and personal lives.
- Preliminary findings suggest older students may require tailored support and consideration within medical programs.
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