Interprofessional Education in Gerontology:

Interprofessional clinical practice is important in the care of the older adult with complex health care problems. The goal of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy practice in gerontology is to promote optimal functioning and minimize disability. The focus of the model described in this links the conceptual bases of problem-based learning and interprofessional education and is achieved through vehicles such as interprofessional problems, faculty adopting interprofessional roles and the development of resources by interprofessional teams of clinicians and faculty. Students learning together in interprofessional tutorial groups using health care problems which relate to the older adult, identify learning issues and learning resources by which they explore problems together. Students develop skills such as team building skills, communication skills, and a client centred approach which facilitates interprofessional interaction and prepares them for clinical practice on an interprofessional team. Problem-based learning together with interprofessional team experiences may help students develop skills necessary to function on interprofessional teams.