Interdisciplinary education in a community-based geriatric evaluation clinic

Demographic predictions are challenging schools of medicine to emphasize geriatrics. This article describes a geriatric evaluation (GET) clinic and explores the opportunity for residents to attain core geriatric competencies.

The GET clinic is located in a small Midwestern city associated with a community-based medical school. It is staffed by an interdisciplinary team consisting of a geriatrician, a gerontological nurse specialist, and a social worker. Residents, medical students, and nursing students are frequent participants.

Descriptive data indicate that the clinic experience addresses the core competencies set forth by the American Geriatric Society. The clinical outcomes indicate that the clinic is effective in maintaining the functional status of patients and has a positive effect on family caregivers. Residents and students rate their experience as excellent.

The GET clinic provides a unique interdisciplinary educational opportunity. Further investigation is needed to determine if residents who participate do attain core competencies.