title: Impact of the geriatric medication game on pharmacy students' attitudes toward older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the impact of participation in the Geriatric Medication Game on pharmacy students' perceptions of and attitudes toward older adults and familiarity with common disabilities that affect them and the process of seeking health care.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the game, first-year pharmacy students "became" older adults during a 3-hour pharmacy practice laboratory. They were given aging-related challenges (eg, impaired vision or mobility) and participated as patients in simulated healthcare scenarios, such as a visit to a physician's office and a pharmacy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After playing the game, students completed a 5-question reflection about their experiences and attitudes toward older adults. Content analysis was performed to identify themes from 4 years of student (n = 625) reflections. Predominant themes included: improved attitudes toward older adults, better understanding of patient experiences, and increased willingness to provide assistance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Incorporating the Geriatric Medication Game into the pharmacy curriculum may facilitate students' understanding of the challenges that older adults face and improve future interactions.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, USA. amchen@cedarville.edu
authors.forename: Aleda M H
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kimberly S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Plake
authors.forename: Karen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Yehle
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kiersma
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003479:Curriculum; D004644:Emotions; D005717:Games, Experimental; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016544:Patient Simulation; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*
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