Post-acute and long-term care: A practical and novel curriculum for medical students

Most physicians will not practice in post-acute or long-term care (PALTC), yet many will care for older adults who transition across these settings. However, medical student education on PALTC is extremely limited. This is a pilot study of a curriculum on PALTC. The curriculum was developed by a geriatrician and social worker. Students participated in a case-based, didactic lecture with interactive components to learn about various care settings, then engaged in a small group exercise to evaluate a challenging transition of care scenario. 168 students participated in the lecture and 145 provided feedback (86.9%). On average, students scored a 1.8/5 (35%) on the pre-course knowledge assessment and 4.3/5 (86%) at the conclusion of the course. Qualitative feedback was analyzed thematically. Students reported positive sentiments regarding the clarity, relevance, engagement, and practicality of the session. Furthermore, students anticipated that the course would improve their own practice patterns and care of older adults. Students felt more empowered to work with interprofessional colleagues because of this course. Opportunities for improvement included a desire for more interactivity and additional reference resources. The course was well-received; students indicated that it would positively influence their practice patterns. This course structure is both highly practical and replicable.