The Interprofessional Care in Geriatrics program evolved from a long history of interprofessional work in geriatrics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).
A Rapidly Aging Society
The United States is experiencing a rapidly aging population, with 10,000 baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) celebrating their 65th birthday every day. By 2030, adults 65 and older will comprise more than 20 percent of the American population. Additionally, by 2034, there will be more people over the age of 65 than under the age of 18 for the first time in history. This trend is not exclusive to the United States; the percentage of older adults worldwide is projected to increase from 8.5 percent in 2016 to 17 percent by 2050. With increased multiple chronic conditions comes an increase in the use of medications.
The Lamy Center Leading the Way
The Lamy Center has focused on the Age-Friendly movement, with the 4Ms framework, aiming to improve health care provision for older adults. The IPE Care in Geriatrics Aging in Place program has been an integral initiative of the Center for Interprofessional Education, adopting a person-centered, team-based, interprofessional learning approach.
Students and faculty from various professions come together using a case-based, all-teach-all-learn approach in their health education and one-on-one encounters. This classroom is where learners and community members support each other through vibrant community discussions that foster positive engagement. The health education session lasts about an hour, followed by person centered sessions to screen for bio, psycho, social, and spiritual needs and connect community members with appropriate resources, significantly impacting healthcare delivery.
Touching Lives
Thanks to the Lamy Center's initiatives, thousands of older adults in underrepresented communities throughout Maryland have seen the light. Each received one-on-one health-related support before and throughout the pandemic. Since the Fall of 2015, UMB students screened for high blood pressure, falls, and high-risk medication and ensured their safety. Many community members and their caregivers have returned, describing positive experiences and asking when the next visit will be. Read some of the testimonies. These initiatives have significantly improved health care delivery.
The Learners' Experience
Students from various professional schools who register for course number CIPP 621, a three-credit special project, or PHMY 5011, an elective toward their PharmD degree, learn with, about, and from each other. Past course participants have shown higher scores on meeting competencies of interprofessional education after the course experience compared to before.
International Collaboration
In 2020, students and faculty from the University of Helsinki, Finland, joined IPE Care in Geriatrics. This collaboration has led to numerous community service opportunities and scholarly work, such as Dr. Nicole Brandt’s Fulbright Scholar work in Finland.
Our Partners and Our Progress
These initiatives have been made possible by the support of our partners, including teams at the Johns Hopkins Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (JHGWEP), an educational initiative in the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology of the Department of Medicine of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; the Center for Global Engagement (CGE), Interprofessional Program for Academic Community Engagement (IPACE), and the Geriatrics and Gerontology Education and Research Program (GGEAR) at UMB; as well as private donors. Every day, we are making progress toward achieving the goals of the age-friendly movement in our communities.
Contact Information:
Daniel Z. Mansour, PharmD, MS, AGSF, BCGP, FASCP
Director of Education and Interprofessional Clinical Training
The Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
220 Arch Street, 01-123
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Phone: (410) 706-2434
Fax: (410) 706-1488
Email: dmansour@rx.umaryland.edu