Ready for the Aging Population? A Student Perspective Needs Assessment of Geriatric Education Among Graduating...

Physician assistants/associates (PAs) play a key role in caring for the aging adult population, but PA education in geriatrics is highly variable. We performed a student-perspective needs assessment to better understand the geriatrics curriculum in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Master of Physician Assistant Studies program prior to curricular redesign.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of graduating PA students to assess their opinions on a 2-week preclinical geriatrics module. Using 5-point Likert-scale questions, students rated the module's overall value, applicability, and their confidence in key geriatric knowledge and skills. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

All 60 students completed the survey; 73% provided a positive rating (mean, 3.87/5). Relevance to future careers had the highest mean (4.27). Confidence in specific geriatric skills varied: students reported feeling most confident in primary care for older adults (mean 4.10) and eliciting patient priorities (mean 4.02). They felt least confident in applying the 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) Framework (mean, 2.52), which was not included in the curriculum. Although dementia care and geriatric pharmacology had mean scores above 3, they were the most frequently selected topics for additional education (78% and 67%, respectively). No significant differences were observed across cohorts.

Student opinion on the preclinical geriatric curriculum was positive overall. While topics such as older adult primary care and eliciting patient priorities appear to be strengths, opportunities for curricular enhancement include incorporating the 4Ms Framework and strengthening instruction in dementia care and geriatric pharmacology. These learner-centered insights will help inform curricular redesign and support broader efforts to evaluate and enhance geriatrics education in PA programs locally and nationally.