A simulated couple aging across the four years of medical school.
BACKGROUND
The medical students of today will deliver health care to an ever-increasing aging population. Regardless of specialties, physicians must view older patients holistically with attention to medical, psychosocial, and family issues and functional status.


METHODS
This program was designed around a couple who ages from 60 to 90 over the 4 years of medical school. The woman represents the healthy aging process, whereas the man represents an elder experiencing multiple health problems. Through standardized patient experiences, small-group encounters, and paper-based learning modules, students address typical age-related issues that provide experiences representative of aging in today's society.


RESULTS
Sessions were rated good to excellent. Comments were positive, especially regarding interactions with the aging couple.


CONCLUSIONS
Aging Couple Across the Curriculum allowed the interweaving of multiple issues that are characteristic of many geriatric cases. Students were able to see the complexity of issues and the impact on other family members.
Rull
Gary
G
Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois 62794-6936, USA.
Rosher
Richard B
RB
McCann-Stone
Nancy
N
Robinson
Sherry B
SB
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016544:Patient Simulation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013337:Students, Medical; D013663:Teaching