Late-life mental health education for workforce development: brain versus heart?
Jules Rosen1, Emily Stiehl, Vikas Mittal
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA; Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Purpose:
There is a shortage of mental health professionals to care for a growing geriatric population. Though not mutually exclusive, clinical and didactic educational experiences promote cognition, whereas affective knowledge (attitude) is promoted through nonclinical exposure to seniors. This study evaluates the relative impact of cognition and attitude on career interests among healthcare students.
Methods:
We developed 13 interactive, video documentary "lessons" on late-life mental health presenting didactic material along with stories of actual patients and families. Four of these lessons were viewed at 1-week intervals by 42 students from medical school and graduate programs of social work, psychology, and nursing. Knowledge, attitudes, and inclinations toward working with seniors were assessed.
Results:
Both cognition and attitudes toward seniors improved. Linear regression shows that change in attitude, not cognition, predicts interest in working with seniors.
Conclusion:
Educational experiences that promote affective learning may enhance interest in geriatric careers among healthcare students.
Related Concept Videos
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques I
Conscientiousness
Conscientious individuals tend to be organized, responsible, and disciplined. They prioritize completing tasks and following structured routines,...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Longitudinal Studies


