Planning instruction in gerontology

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Allied Health Sciences
• Healthcare Education

Background:

• The gerontology course in the Physical and Occupational Therapy Programme at McGill University was evaluated.
• The curriculum's alignment with essential knowledge for professionals working with the aged was assessed.
• Graduate perspectives on practical application of gerontology training were gathered.

Purpose of the Study:

• To scrutinize the gerontology course content and its relevance to the needs of professionals caring for the aged.
• To compare researcher-identified necessary knowledge with graduate self-reported practices.
• To propose an improved model for multidisciplinary services in aged care.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative review of researcher-identified knowledge for professionals tending the aged.
• A quantitative questionnaire administered to program graduates working with the aged.
• Analysis of graduate task prioritization and perceived skill importance.

Main Results:

• Essential professional skills include supporting the aged and families, problem evaluation, promoting independence, and avoiding stereotypes.
• Graduates reported spending the most time on listening and talking with clients, followed by team consultation, and then physiotherapy tasks.
• A need for enhanced multidisciplinary service approaches was identified.

Conclusions:

• The gerontology curriculum should integrate essential communication and support skills alongside clinical tasks.
• Graduate experiences highlight the importance of interpersonal and collaborative skills in aged care.
• A refined multidisciplinary service model can improve the quality and accessibility of care for the aged.