Evidence to Support the Pike's Peak Model: The UA Geropsychology Education Program

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IntroductionThe shortage of qualified mental and behavioral health professionals continues to become more problematic as our American population ages and the demand for specialized geriatric services increases. Interdisciplinary training that addresses the intersections of practice and service to older adults is critical.MethodsThe Graduate Geropsychology Education program, funded by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration from October 2003 to December 2006, provided interdisciplinary training to geropsychology students, doctoral level social workers, nursing and pharmacy trainees. The training program at the University of Alabama was advised by faculty from seven disciplines and involved three primary goals which align with the Pike's Peak model of geropsychology training: an interdisciplinary doctoral-level class, clinical placement in primary care settings, and student recruitment to the training program.ResultsInnovative partnerships were created across professions and across agencies to create a unique training experience focusing on the nationally recognized goals found in Healthy People 2010. Students were given practical, real-life experience in busy urban and rural primary care sites and one regional legal clinic where they partnered closely with professionals in other disciplines to provide best possible care to older adults.ConclusionsBased on the data from clinical outcomes, course evaluation, and student response, we believe that this model holds great promise for broader implementation in training programs across the country. IntroductionThe shortage of qualified mental and behavioral health professionals continues to become more problematic as our American population ages and the demand for specialized geriatric services increases. Interdisciplinary training that addresses the intersections of practice and service to older adults is critical. The shortage of qualified mental and behavioral health professionals continues to become more problematic as our American population ages and the demand for specialized geriatric services increases. Interdisciplinary training that addresses the intersections of practice and service to older adults is critical. MethodsThe Graduate Geropsychology Education program, funded by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration from October 2003 to December 2006, provided interdisciplinary training to geropsychology students, doctoral level social workers, nursing and pharmacy trainees. The training program at the University of Alabama was advised by faculty from seven disciplines and involved three primary goals which align with the Pike's Peak model of geropsychology training: an interdisciplinary doctoral-level class, clinical placement in primary care settings, and student recruitment to the training program. The Graduate Geropsychology Education program, funded by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration from October 2003 to December 2006, provided interdisciplinary training to geropsychology students, doctoral level social workers, nursing and pharmacy trainees. The training program at the University of Alabama was advised by faculty from seven disciplines and involved three primary goals which align with the Pike's Peak model of geropsychology training: an interdisciplinary doctoral-level class, clinical placement in primary care settings, and student recruitment to the training program. ResultsInnovative partnerships were created across professions and across agencies to create a unique training experience focusing on the nationally recognized goals found in Healthy People 2010. Students were given practical, real-life experience in busy urban and rural primary care sites and one regional legal clinic where they partnered closely with professionals in other disciplines to provide best possible care to older adults. Innovative partnerships were created across professions and across agencies to create a unique training experience focusing on the nationally recognized goals found in Healthy People 2010. Students were given practical, real-life experience in busy urban and rural primary care sites and one regional legal clinic where they partnered closely with professionals in other disciplines to provide best possible care to older adults. ConclusionsBased on the data from clinical outcomes, course evaluation, and student response, we believe that this model holds great promise for broader implementation in training programs across the country. Based on the data from clinical outcomes, course evaluation, and student response, we believe that this model holds great promise for broader implementation in training programs across the country.