Using a Content Matrix to Review and Integrate Adult-Gero Content

Thousands of Baby Boomers turn age 65 every day. As the aging population in the US increases, the numbers of primary care providers is decreasing. Advanced Practice Nursing is poised to fill the void by adapting Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) programs to Adult-Gero Nurse Practitioner programs, thus exponentially increasing the number of primary care nurse practitioners capable of providing expert health care to the aging population. The process of integrating geriatric content into ANP programs has its challenges and its benefits. As suggested in the literature (Auerhahn & Kennedy-Malone, 2010), we used a matrix to assess current Gero content in our program and identify areas needing improvement. The matrix contained current courses on the vertical axis and Adult-Gero competencies across the top horizontal axis. Program syllabi were reviewed and competency content documented. The process revealed that while several competencies were fully integrated into our program (I Health Promotion, Protection, Disease Prevention and Treatment, II Nurse Practitioner–Patient Relationship); other competencies needed attention (III Teaching-Coaching Function, IV Professional Role, V Managing and Negotiating Health Care systems, VI Monitoring and Ensuring Quality of Health Care Practice, VII Cultural and Spiritual Competence). Examples of changes made to facilitate Gero content include adding LTC clinical experiences, adding a cultural tool before clinical practica to encourage self-reflection and dialogue regarding caring for the aged population, ensuring assignments throughout the curriculum include case studies/scenarios involving the full spectrum of elderly clients, from vibrant and active to those with multiple health or social challenges. In addition, we are including a health literacy exercise, a peer review exercise and additional opportunities for community teaching. An additional benefit of the process was a dialogue among faculty and exploration of the ways to increase application of adult-Gero content in the curriculum. Specifically we developed new assignments and clinical experiences in an effort to increase student opportunities to explore the culture of aging, to appreciate the breadth of the aging population, and to explore their own personal beliefs regarding working with the elderly.