An Innovative Doctor of Physical Therapy Experiential Learning Opportunity With Older Adults: A Description of a Unique Academic and Long-Term Care Partnership

Abstract

Background and Purpose. Despite the dramatic increase in older adults and the reality that this population often comprises a substantial proportion of physical therapists' client base, many Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students feel unprepared or less willing to provide care to older adults after graduation. Method/Model Description and Evaluation. The University of Minnesota DPT program developed a unique model for all first-year DPT students to gain experiential learning with older adults through a year-long Clerkship experience. In addition to regular assessments of student learning, a pre/postmeasure of student attitudes toward older adults and a thematic analysis of student reflective journals were conducted. Outcomes. Students entered the DPT program with positive attitudes toward older adults. Although limited changes in student attitudes was observed over time through the quantitative pre/postmeasure, student reflective journals revealed more nuance, with many students describing gains in knowledge and confidence in practicing with older adults, as well as more positive attitudes toward older adults and geriatrics over time. Discussion and Conclusion. The University of Minnesota DPT first-year Clerkship experience is a unique experiential learning program that provides DPT students hands-on experience with older adults over an academic year in a real-life setting. This innovative approach dually contributes to the development of DPT students' essential competencies and has been shown to be beneficial to first-year DPT students in developing positive attitudes toward and comfort in working with older adults, thereby advancing toward a more prepared physical therapist workforce in the area of geriatrics.