A national study of geriatrics in baccalaureate nursing programs (n=480) found that gerontological content was integrated in 63%; stand-alone courses were typically electives for nursing students. Full integration of geriatric content into nursing programs was recommended. (JOW)

Survey responses from departments of recreation and leisure studies (2000, n=66; 1991, n=81; 1981, n=97) indicated that 61% currently offer gerontology credentials, a slight decline since 1990. Combined undergraduate/graduate courses have increased; separate gerontology options are rare. Despite predictions of population aging, there has been…

Third-year medical students (n=67) conducted structured functional assessments of elderly patients and completed diagnostic/therapeutic plans. Students averaged seven problems and four recommendations per patient. Significant increases in their knowledge of and comfort with comprehensive geriatric assessment were found. (Contains 25 references.)…

A survey of the 60 American dental schools was conducted to determine the extent of existing and planned programs in geriatric dentistry. All respondents indicated that they either conduct a gerontology program or plan to conduct one in the future; various educational approaches were reported. (MLW)

In a three-year collaborative venture between a hospital and a university, an interdisciplinary team trained 684 allied health professionals and students in geriatrics. Outcomes included increased geriatric knowledge, more graduates serving rural underserved areas, and more interdisciplinary clinical initiatives. (SK)

A survey of Washington State dentists in private practice shows generally inaccurate perceptions of the aging process. More experienced dentists held fewer stereotypes, those rating elderly patients as having good oral hygiene held positive stereotypes, and geriatrics coursework did not affect stereotypes. Implications for training and geriatric…

Administered Palmore's Facts on Aging Quizzes I and II and Facts on Aging Mental Health Quiz as single test to third-year medical students before and after their six-week Community Health and Family Medicine clerkship. Clerkship contributed to small improvement in students' knowledge about aged; net bias scores decreased from pretest to posttest.…

Results of a study showed: a one-month geriatrics rotation had only a slight positive effect on the attitude of interns toward care of the elderly; senior residents felt they had adequate exposure to geriatric medicine; and attitudes toward care of the elderly changed little during residency. (MLW)

A survey to determine the extent of gerontological and geriatric education for a specific allied health sciences school received responses from 27 of 60 faculty. A substantial number of courses infused aging-related information into the course content, particularly at the graduate level. (Author/JOW)

Reports findings from a preliminary survey of the growing phenomenon of endowed faculty positions in social gerontology and geriatric units in institutions of higher learning in the United States. There has been a distinct upsurge since 1980 in the number of endowed chairs and professorships in gerontological units. Identifies and describes…

Medical records of older outpatients treated at 15 university teaching hospitals were reviewed to evaluate how their medical problems were managed in university-based internal medicine practices. The finding suggests either that these patients were extremely atypical or that their geriatric problems were unrecognized. (Author/MLW)

Data on dental faculty involvement in geriatric programs, didactic and clinical academic curricula, and other aspects of ongoing geriatric educational activities in dental schools are reported and the prospects for future activities are discussed. (Author/MSE)

This study compared the research productivity of 97 senior staff members of geriatrics education centers and 91 faculty enrollees in a professional development program. Findings indicated that more senior educators (75 percent) than enrollees (40 percent) had published in the previous three years. (DB)

A survey of 72 pharmacy schools shows 22 percent of the schools had no geriatric coursework, 35 percent offered only courses in which the geriatric content averaged under 12 percent of course content, and 43 percent offered courses that focused primarily on geriatrics, most including a major clinical component. (Author/MSE)

Examined effect of experimental program in gerontology and geriatrics on third-year medical students. Experimental students (n=45) participated in four group sessions emphasizing psychological, sociodemographic, and physiological aspects of aging and interpersonal communication skills. Participants developed more positive attitudes and…