Undergraduate medical education in geriatrics: nursing home experience

Preclinical medical students undertook an elective course in geriatrics which combined instruction in history taking, physical diagnosis, and problem-oriented assessment of elderly patients in a nursing home. A drug utilization review and specific drug therapy plans were formulated by pharmacy students. The project identified general problems susceptible to institutional as well as individual remedy. The students were led beyond their initial preoccupation with "physical complaints" to interest in pertinent psychological, social, and economic factors. A model of geriatric education for health science students can productively link the health science center and community nursing homes with benefits for the student, the patient, and the nursing home.