Enhancing SLP Students' Perceptions of Older Persons and Collaborative Practice Through Geriatric Interprofessional Teamwork

Abstract

Purpose To address the need for practice-ready geriatric health professionals, the Seniors Assisting in Geriatric Education (SAGE) program was developed and implemented by two partnering institutions. This study examines speech-language pathology students' perceptions of interprofessional (IP) teamwork and older persons following participation in the SAGE program. Specifically, students reflected on their IP competencies and attitudes toward older persons and overall perceptions of their SAGE experience and how this experience may impact their future practice. Method IP teams of three or four students ( n = 662) from eight disciplines and two partnering institutions participated in the SAGE program. Over three semesters, IP student teams visited a senior mentor's home, completing assignments aimed at growing skills in geriatric collaborative care. A mixed-method approach was used to examine 20 speech-language pathology students' perceptions post-SAGE. Students completed two questionnaires and provided written and verbal feedback, including retrospective pre–post comparisons. Results Moderate positive effect sizes were observed on retrospective reports examining perceptions of IP knowledge, attitudes, and skills. These reports were consistent with responses to additional questions examining values/ethics, roles and responsibilities, IP communication, and teamwork. Quantitative and qualitative measures reflected predominantly positive attitudes toward older persons, including an appreciation for older adults, increased knowledge and skills in geriatric care, and an interest in working with older persons in the future. Conclusions Speech-language pathology students participating on an IP geriatric team reported improved knowledge, attitudes, and skills in geriatric collaborative care. Additional study is needed to determine the impact of this experience on students' behaviors as future IP team members.