Aged Care

Gerontology assessment

Developed by: 
Ms Kathy Gould and Dr Gillian Webb
Institution: 
The University of Melbourne
Teaching and Learning Strategy: 

This subject is based in the clinical teaching facilities of the faculty where teaching and supervision is provided by experienced clinicians. Teaching consists of tutorials, bedside teaching, lectures, team meetings and supervised practice. Self directed learning is enhanced by the use of guided videos and readings.
The assessment in this subject encourages the students to develop materials around pertinent topics in gerontology. Students can produce posters, brochures, booklets, videos, CDs or DVDs. These should be applicable to a general audience, healthcare providers in aged care or a patient/care giver.
 

Course Name: 
Gerontology 513 404
Year Level: 
Fourth Year
Expected Outcomes: 

Students should comprehend the implications of an aging population on health delivery and the community: changes occurring in normal aging, pathologies associated with aging; heterogeneity of the elderly population; multiple pathologies; multidisciplinary management teams; evaluation of physiotherapy management emphasising assessment and outcome measures; the need to identify advances in gerontology and relate these to practice. Knowledge of the role of physiotherapists and other health team members in management, agencies delivering aged care services and sources of specialised equipment are developed. The tutorial program includes balance and postural control, gait in the elderly, dementia, incontinence, aged care policy, service networks, pain in the elderly and amputees.
 
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:

  • safely and competently assess and treat an elderly patient with the complex care needs involving musculoskeletal, neurological and/or cardiothoracic problems
  • participate with the multidisciplinary team in the discharge planning process and appropriate referral of the elderly patient requiring ongoing physiotherapy treatment
  • demonstrate knowledge of the role of agencies managing and delivering Aged Care Services as well as an understanding of how to access the services available
Effective Aspects: 

Assessment in this subject includes the production of patient education or health promotion literature on topics to do with aged care. The students through this form of assessment are given opportunities to develop skills in health promotion and patient/community education by the production of relevant educational tools. The students are required to back up their materials with appropriate references and evidence of the effectiveness of their programs.

Evaluation: 

This has been evaluated using the standard university quality of teaching survey and also with an internal survey. The clinical educators responsible for the teaching of this subject have also been consulted.

Evaluation Outcomes: 

Students have enjoyed the opportunity to develop learning materials in a variety of mediums. Clinical staff have used many of the productions in their facilities for patient education and health promotion activities.

Plans for Changes/Developments in Future: 

There is constant review of the topics and how these are presented.
 
 
Changes as to how students provide evidence for their materials have been implemented. Also we are examining how we might be able to distribute these products more effectively to the broader community.

For Further Details
Contact Name: 
Gillian Webb
Contact Faculty/School: 
School of Physiotherapy
Contact Institution: 
The University of Melbourne
Contact Link: 
http://www.physioth.unimelb.edu.au/