Development and implementation of an anti-ageism curriculum for medical students

Ageism refers to the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) directed toward people on the basis of their age. Ageism is rampant and pervasive, often socially acceptable; however, it can be harmful to older adults' health and longevity. Education can reduce ageism, especially when coupled with intergenerational contact interventions. We conceptualized and implemented an anti-ageism curriculum for third year medical students to improve their awareness, attitudes and behaviors toward older people. First, we assigned students to engage in self-directed learning and reflection. Then, we had an hour-long interactive virtual didactic session involving case discussions, facilitated by interprofessional faculty. Then, we elicited students' commitment to change related to anti-ageism. We found a significant increase in students' self-assessed confidence in identifying ageist remarks and actions and in reducing their own ageist biases. Our curriculum was associated with an increase in medical students' perception that older patients are more appreciative of the care they receive and a decrease in their perception that taking a medical history from older patients is frequently an ordeal.