Bridging the gap: gerontology and social work education

The following study was implemented to explore the potential for a four-week curriculum module in gerontological social work education to positively impact students' practice-related knowledge concerning older adults, as well as their attitudes toward elderly persons and interest in working with them. Pertinent literature was reviewed to conceptualize the building of a gerontology curriculum module that could be integrated into a pre-existing social work course. The module's design and content were reflective of its primary goal, which was to educate students about salient aspects of social work knowledge, skill, and practice with older adults utilizing experiential methods. Data analysis revealed a significant increase in students' knowledge of aging (t=12.23, df=106, p<0.01), significant decline in students' ageist attitudes (t=3.34, df=106, p<0.01), and an increased interest in working with older adults as clients (z=3.162, p<0.05). Given the pending unprecedented growth in the older adult population and the lack of gerontology education in social work programs, this study attempts to bridge this gap.