Active Learning Strategies for Mastering Geriatric Assessment Tools

Background: The number of older adults is expected to double by 2030.  The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has identified a need to increase health care provider’s skills with older adults. The American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) has identified specific geriatric competencies for nurse practitioners.  Geriatric patients present with complex health problems which require comprehensive geriatric focused assessment.  Comprehensive geriatric assessment encompasses cognitive and mental status, functional status and psycho-social assessment.  It is essential for nurse practitioner (NP) students to have knowledge and experience with standardized, geriatric assessment tools.

Methodology: Active learning strategies for geriatric assessment tools were implemented in an NP geriatric health assessment course.  The learning strategies included low fidelity simulation, case studies and games.  The geriatric assessment tools included evaluation with the Mini-Mental Status Exam, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Clock Drawing,  Geriatric Depression Scale, Katz Assessment of Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Timed Get Up and Go, and types of urinary incontinence.  Students worked in small groups moving from each learning station with a geriatric assessment tool.  At the learning stations, the student’s role played with the specialized tools or completed the completed the case examples or urinary incontinence matching game.

Analysis: This model of active learning strategies provides NP students an effective, skills based opportunity to master geriatric assessment tools. The NP students were then able to utilize these geriatric assessment tools in clinical learning experiences.

Results:  NP students reported high satisfaction with the active learning strategies with geriatric assessment tools. Because of their hands on experience with the tools, students reported they were more likely to utilize the tools in clinical practice.