Impact of the geriatric medication game on pharmacy students' attitudes toward older adults.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the impact of participation in the Geriatric Medication Game on pharmacy students' perceptions of and attitudes toward older adults and familiarity with common disabilities that affect them and the process of seeking health care.

DESIGN

In the game, first-year pharmacy students "became" older adults during a 3-hour pharmacy practice laboratory. They were given aging-related challenges (eg, impaired vision or mobility) and participated as patients in simulated healthcare scenarios, such as a visit to a physician's office and a pharmacy.

ASSESSMENT

After playing the game, students completed a 5-question reflection about their experiences and attitudes toward older adults. Content analysis was performed to identify themes from 4 years of student (n = 625) reflections. Predominant themes included: improved attitudes toward older adults, better understanding of patient experiences, and increased willingness to provide assistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Incorporating the Geriatric Medication Game into the pharmacy curriculum may facilitate students' understanding of the challenges that older adults face and improve future interactions.