Although several interprofessional education projects have addressed training allied health students for effective teamwork in geriatrics, few curriculum evaluation studies have examined differences in learning outcomes between interprofessional and traditional uniprofessional approaches, especially for social work students. This paper compares…

Interdisciplinary teams are loosely coupled (systems in which elements are weakly, infrequently, or informally linked). Applying loosely coupled systems theory to team training increases its effectiveness, because learning activities may be disjointed and learning goals may diverge. (SK)

Health care workers at eight sites were trained to serve on interdisciplinary geriatric care teams. Challenges included differing levels of experience and geriatric knowledge, discipline specific-language and practice philosophies, and scheduling conflicts. Techniques to overcome them included case studies, standardized patients, cross-discipline…

Social and academic values emphasizing individualism, competition, and unidisciplinary thinking affect the development of interdisciplinary programs. Interdisciplinary health care teams must be concerned with interprofessional and professional-client relationships and shared team values, which should be addressed in gerontological and geriatric…

Compares training of self-directed work teams in business with the potential of interdisciplinary teams in geriatrics. Possible pitfalls in conforming to the health care culture, obtaining management commitment, and dealing with the diversity and independence of health care professionals reflect the need for deep commitment to team development.…

A Finnish nursing home's team development process included brainstorming on the characteristics of good teams, profiling of team members' nursing skills, analysis of tasks, and identification of ways to improve work quality and information flow to residents. Team building required clarification of work structures, determination of the…

In a geriatrics course 15 undergraduates participated in problem-based tutorials on interprofessional health-care teamwork during clinical placement. Compared with 15 controls, the experimental group showed significantly greater knowledge but no difference in perceptions of interprofessional functions. (SK)

Training of geriatrics clinicians in interdisciplinary teamwork included group dynamics, conflict management, leadership, and team building. Pre/posttest data from eight teams identified challenges in defining teams, stabilizing membership, dealing with health care changes, and coping with stress. Training objectives were revised to include…

Pre/post course evaluations by 35 students in an interdisciplinary geriatric training program delivered via distance methods indicated an increase in interdisciplinary team skills. Students working with older clients had better attitudes about teams and were motivated to seek additional training. Distance delivery enabled outreach to underserved…

The LIFE SPAN geriatric interdisciplinary curriculum trains health occupations students in team dynamics, problem solving, assessment, and care planning to prepare them for interdisciplinary teams that provide holistic health care for older adults. (SK)

An interdisciplinary geriatrics team training institute focused on cutting-edge health care themes had 30 participants. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation showed that participants sought specific, work-applicable insights; the focus on new approaches was critical; and careful attention to educational program marketing was needed. (SK)