title: A community-based approach for integrating geriatrics and gerontology into undergraduate medical education.
abstract: Medical school accreditation requirements require educational opportunities in geriatrics. Twenty-six minimum graduating competencies in geriatrics have recently been identified for medical students. The authors describe how these competencies are being integrated into a new medical curriculum through coursework and community-based experiences. This approach is intended to expose students to older adults from diverse communities and adequately prepare students to address the complex and individual needs of these patients. Initial results indicate proficiency in the minimum geriatric competencies covered. The growth and diversity of the older adult population makes it important to integrate and evaluate geriatrics education in undergraduate medical education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Humanities, Health and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA. imartine@fiu.edu
authors.forename: Iveris L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Jorge Camilo
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mora
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003154:Community Medicine / Q000193:education*; D003162:Competency-Based Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D058025:Interdisciplinary Studies; D017145:Models, Educational; D013337:Students, Medical; D056164:Teaching Rounds / Q000379:methods