Impact of a Geriatric Health Promotion Elective on Occupational and Physical Therapy Students

Abstract

Twenty-two physical and occupational therapy students enrolled in an elective course entitled Health Promotion and Aging. After classroom preparation during the first half of the semester, the students applied their skills and knowledge of exercise, nutrition and stress management at a senior center with 42 sedentary and/or obese older adults during the second half of the semester. In comparison to the students who did not enroll in the course, participants increased their knowledge of geriatrics, improved their attitude toward the effectiveness of health promotion techniques in changing the health behaviors of older clients, and increased their self-reported probability that they would apply health promotion knowledge and skills in their future practice. The students made recommendations for improving the class, which have been subsequently implemented.