Development, implementation, and assessment of a web-based interprofessional curriculum on age-friendly care for health professions students

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Published: Mar 20, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.62694/efh.2025.195
Keywords:
Geriatrics, interprofessional education, Older adults, Primary care

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Leslie F. Taylor
PT, PhD, MS, Professor of Physical Therapy, Director, Center for Gerontology, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Mercer University, Atlanta, United States
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6622-7185
Susan W. Miller
PharmD, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Hood-Meyer Distinguished Alumni Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, United States
David W. Taylor
PT, DPT, Director of Clinical Education and Clinical Associate Professor for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Mercer University, Atlanta, United States
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5705-7399
Jennifer de la Cruz
MMSc, PA-C, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, College of Health Professions, Mercer University, Atlanta, United States
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8876-0255

Abstract

Background: Older adults experience disproportionately higher rates of harm, delay, and discoordination while seeking and receiving healthcare. To optimize training for entry-level healthcare providers, we developed a curriculum to enhance the readiness of health professions students to provide age-friendly care (AFC) to older adults using the 4Ms framework. Methods: Kern’s 6-step approach guided the development of the curriculum. Participants included 434 students in Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant programs, 34 alumni, and 28 faculty affiliated with a university in the southeastern United States. Formative evaluation occurred throughout and included interviews and surveys with key stakeholders. Summative evaluation included collection of quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data addressed students’ knowledge via module-specific quizzes and students’ attitudes per the Geriatric Attitudes Scale (GAS) and the Expectations Regarding Aging-12 Scale (ERA12). Qualitative data included narrative responses on two reflections: the student’s role as a member of the older adults' healthcare team, and incorporating principles of AFC for older adults during their upcoming clinical rotations. Results: Kern’s approach was an effective framework to guide the curricular development. Students’ knowledge increased per successful completion of module quizzes (scores 80 and above). There were no changes in pre-post GAS or ERA-12 scores. Qualitative assessment of reflections identified four themes related to the delivery of age-friendly care: interconnection between the 4Ms, importance of the interprofessional team, person-centered care, and provider competency and accountability. Discussion: The web-based curriculum enhanced the perceived readiness of health professions students to provide care to older adults. The open-access curriculum appears to be one component that helps optimize the training of entry-level healthcareproviders to better prepare them for interprofessional practice in the care of older adults.

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How to Cite
Taylor, L. F., Miller, S., Taylor, D. W., & de la Cruz, J. (2025). Development, implementation, and assessment of a web-based interprofessional curriculum on age-friendly care for health professions students. Education for Health, 38(1), 57–67. https://doi.org/10.62694/efh.2025.195
Issue
Vol. 38 No. 1 (2025): Jan-March 2025 - Volume 38 - Issue 1
Section
Original Research Paper
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license

Author Biographies

Leslie F. Taylor, PT, PhD, MS, Professor of Physical Therapy, Director, Center for Gerontology, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Mercer University, Atlanta, United States

Dr. Leslie F. Taylor serves as the Director of the Center for Gerontology and Professor of Physical Therapy at Mercer University in Atlanta, GA, USA.  In addition to being a licensed physical therapist, Dr. Taylor has a Master of Science in Counseling, a Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology, and graduate certification in Gerontology from Georgia State University.  Dr. Taylor's primary teaching focus is on developing providers who practice from a biopsychosocial framework and research interests revolve around interventions for successful aging. 

Susan W. Miller, PharmD, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Hood-Meyer Distinguished Alumni Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, United States

Dr. Susan W. Miller is a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Hood-Meyer Distinguished Alumni Professor in the College of Pharmacy at Mercer University in Atlanta, GA, USA. Dr. Miller has a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy from Mercer University. 

David W. Taylor, PT, DPT, Director of Clinical Education and Clinical Associate Professor for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Mercer University, Atlanta, United States

Dr. David Taylor serves as Director of Clinical Education and Clinical Associate Professor for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Mercer University in Atlanta, GA, USA. Dr. Taylor has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy from Emory University. He was awarded a certificate in Health-focused Patient/Client Management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Taylor is a Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist Emeritus and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice. Dr. Taylor has extensive clinical and teaching expertise in geriatric physical therapy and healthcare for older adults using novel strategies to enhance student learning.

Jennifer de la Cruz, MMSc, PA-C, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, College of Health Professions, Mercer University, Atlanta, United States

Jennifer de la Cruz serves as Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies in the College of Health Professions at Mercer University in Atlanta, GA, USA. Prof. de la Cruz has a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Agnes Scott College and a Master of Medical Science from Emory University. She is a certified and licensed Physician Assistant. Prof. de la Cruz serves on the Board of Directors of the Southern Gerontological Society.