The Geriatric Medicine/Osteopathic Principles and Practice

Catalog description

The Geriatric Medicine/Osteopathic Principles and Practice clerkship is designed to prepare medical students to provide evidence-based, competent, and compassionate, whole-person Osteopathic care for older adults; to improve quality of life for older adults who often have multiple co-existing conditions and complex needs; and to achieve the minimum geriatric competencies. Students participate in a structured rotation with didactics, directed readings, hands on presentations and assessments of both knowledge and skills. During the clerkship, students are given the opportunity to apply the principles of osteopathic medicine while under the supervision of the attending staff. Students may rotate through various departments and facilities for their clerkship such as the Acute Care of the Elderly Unit, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. Students will view video presentations on core geriatrics topics to complement the Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP) virtual curriculum, giving a solid foundation in both Geriatrics and OPP. Students will be assigned in groups with a mentor to complete a group Osteopathic research poster project. This scholarly activity is an opportunity to learn fundamental research skills, including completing a research poster, as well as advancing the students understanding of osteopathic concepts. This rotation may occur during the third or fourth year of clinical training.