An interdisciplinary geriatric component for a rural summer experience AUTHOR

摘要

Introduction: This article describes the development and implementation of an interdisciplinary component of a rural summer experience for students in multiple health care fields. Methods: Over a 7 year time frame, an experience involving seminars, discussions and patient encounters was added to a traditional discipline-specific summer rural rotation. The curriculum and its development and maturation are described, with transition from a seminar only to a more clinical experience in geriatrics. Results: Feedback was uniformly positive. Students felt that the opportunity to interact with learners from other disciplines enhanced the rotation and influenced their approach to patient care within their own discipline. Conclusions: Logistical and educational challenges are significant, but a relatively modest addition to a traditional rotation can enhance the goals of exposing students to rural care and improving interdisciplinary communication.