TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessing students' learning needs and attitudes
T2 - Considerations for gerontology curriculum planning
AU - Koren, Mary Elaine
AU - Hertz, Judith
AU - Munroe, Donna
AU - Rossetti, Jeanette
AU - Robertson, Julie
AU - Plonczynski, Donna
AU - Berent, Georgine
AU - Ehrlich-Jones, Linda
PY - 2008/5/1
Y1 - 2008/5/1
N2 - The growing number of older adults with multiple healthcare needs underscores the importance of teaching gerontological content to students in healthcare fields. To effectively accomplish this educational goal, it is essential to consider students' attitudes and learning needs related to caring for elderly persons. The purpose of this study was to identify prelicensure undergraduate nursing students' (N = 200) perceived learning needs and attitudes toward older adults. Current knowledge of gerontology and attitudes were correlated with multiple variables including comfort and confidence in caring for older persons. Students identified their desire for more information on selected topics such as supportive resources for elders and their caregivers. Students who intended to learn more about gerontological nursing chose more topics; the two most commonly chosen topics were end-of-life issues and specific disorders. The data from this study can be used to design courses and curricula related to the care of elderly persons. Similar approaches to obtain student input can be adopted in designing other gerontology curricula.
AB - The growing number of older adults with multiple healthcare needs underscores the importance of teaching gerontological content to students in healthcare fields. To effectively accomplish this educational goal, it is essential to consider students' attitudes and learning needs related to caring for elderly persons. The purpose of this study was to identify prelicensure undergraduate nursing students' (N = 200) perceived learning needs and attitudes toward older adults. Current knowledge of gerontology and attitudes were correlated with multiple variables including comfort and confidence in caring for older persons. Students identified their desire for more information on selected topics such as supportive resources for elders and their caregivers. Students who intended to learn more about gerontological nursing chose more topics; the two most commonly chosen topics were end-of-life issues and specific disorders. The data from this study can be used to design courses and curricula related to the care of elderly persons. Similar approaches to obtain student input can be adopted in designing other gerontology curricula.
KW - Attitudes toward elderly persons
KW - Gerontology education
KW - Healthcare students
KW - Learning needs assessment
KW - Nursing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=58149265436&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=58149265436&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/02701960801963029
DO - 10.1080/02701960801963029
M3 - Article
C2 - 19042220
AN - SCOPUS:58149265436
SN - 0270-1960
VL - 28
SP - 39
EP - 56
JO - Gerontology and Geriatrics Education
JF - Gerontology and Geriatrics Education
IS - 4
ER -