Impact of participation in TimeSlips, a creative group-based storytelling program, on medical student attitudes towards persons with dementia: a mixed methods evaluation

Abstract

To evaluate whether medical student participation in TimeSlips, a creative group-based storytelling program, with persons affected by dementia would improve student attitudes towards this patient population. Fifteen fourth-year medical students from PennState College of Medicine participated in a month-long regimen of TimeSlipssessions at a retirement community in central Pennsylvania. Pre- and post program administration of the items on the Dementia Attitudes Scale were analyzed with paired t-tests to evaluate the mean change in students’ self-reported attitudes toward persons with dementia. Student course evaluations were analyzed at the conclusion of the program to further examine qualitative changes in attitude. Several items on the Dementia Attitudes Scale indicated a statistically significant improvement in medical students’ attitudes towards and perceptions of persons with ADRD. Qualitative data supported quantitative findings, while also revealing insights into the manner in which student attitudes toward a geriatric patient population became more positive. While previous research has demonstrated that medical student perceptions of geriatric patients may be improved through non-clinical experiences, this is the first known empirical study to suggest that participation in a creative, group-based storytelling program might improve medical student attitudes towards this patient population.