Necesidad de la enseñanza de pregrado en geriatría: aportaciones de un nuevo modelo educativo

Abstract

Introduction to analyse knowledge of geriatrics among students of the Medical Faculty of Castilla-La Mancha University (UCLM) in Spain. Matherial and methods we performed a survey of 93 fifth-year medical students at the UCLM Medical Faculty before and after they attended a 6-week problem-based training program in geriatrics. Results after the learning period, the students had a better knowledge of geriatrics, including its utility, methods, and patient characteristics. At the end of the program, 59.8% were able to identify elderly individuals with potentially reversible, recent-onset disability as the principal users of acute geriatric units; those with stroke, hip fracture or functional decline as the main users of geriatric rehabilitation units and those with cognitive or functional decline, confusion, falls or multiple disorders/medications as the main users of outpatient clinics. Students changed their belief that confusion, depression, urinary incontinence and falls have to be managed by geriatricians. After the program students believed that geriatricians managed more elderly people with good functional status and acute, potentially treatable diseases such as stroke. Conclusions education in geriatrics gives medical students a better understanding of the principal users of geriatric medicine and the methodology used, and prepares them to provide better care to the elderly.