Interdisciplinary faculty collaboration for developing introductory level geriatric curriculum.

Abstract

Health care educational programs have been slow to introduce geriatrics in the curriculum although demographic data demonstrate the need for increased geriatric emphases. Four general problems - institutions, professions, scholarship, and faculty - are discussed in terms of their influence on geriatric curriculum development and implementation. A creative curriculum development approach is described that addresses the problem of faculty. The product is an interdisciplinary, time-efficient set of eight faculty instructional guides that assures the availability of introductory level geriatric content. Program and faculty benefits include increased interdisciplinary awareness, expanded geriatric knowledge, enhanced presentation and instructional skills, and increased commitment to geriatric education and curriculum development.