The following outlines a plan for a four-year longitudinal geriatric curriculum This curriculum would not be conceived of as a single course but a series of curriculum pieces that coalesce to form a four-year curriculum. Most of the following items are presented in the curriculum but are not identified as a coordinated continuum. Coordination would be achieved by a single syllabus describing the curriculum throughout all four years and clear instructor identification and segregation of material in participating courses. There will also be a fourth-year summary short course (two weeks) to review and present any pieces not yet covered. It would end with an exam covering the entire four-year curriculum. This would allow us to assess the effectiveness of this approach and insure student competency. The plan would also include a one-week immersion experience in geriatrics in the third year totaling an additional three weeks of curriculum time dedicated exclusively to geriatrics.
The Process of Aging. Address the physical, social and psychological aspects of aging integrated into the concept of the life cycle. It would include current components of many basic science courses such as anatomy, physiology, psychology, pharmacology and pathology. It would also include components of the Essentials of Patient Care and perhaps others.
Growing Old in Good Health. Including health promotion and disease prevention, geriatric treatment planning and utilization of family, community and health care resources to effect geriatric health.
Common Geriatric Medical Problems and Disease States. Including functional problems of the geriatric population as well as diseases and conditions that commonly affect them.
Aging and Support Systems. Including strategies for acquiring and maintaining access to health care, models for successful independent living, models for intermediate and comprehensive care of debilitated elderly.
The Process of Dying. Including ethical and legal decision-making and medical care of the terminally ill patient.
!Training Settings! (All of these would be usezl at solace point in thefour-year curriculum.)
| Geriatric clinics (primary care and specialty) | Hospice |
| Nursing homes | Retirement homes |
| Senior citizen centers | Home visits |
| Senior citizen advocacy groups | Rehabilitation centers |
| Home health care agencies | Geriatric inpatient wards |
The Process of Aging Growing Old in Good Health Common Diseases Aging and Support Systems The Process of Dying Geriatric
ClinicsX X X Nursing
HomesX X X Senior Citizen
CentersX X X Advocacy
GroupsX X Home
Health CareX X Hospice X X Retirement
HomesX X X X Home
VisitsX X X Rehab
CentersX X Inpatient
WardsX X X
First year curriculum
Second year curriculum
Third year curriculum
Fourth year curriculum