Geriatric Enrichment in Social Work Education: Lessons Learned from the GeroRich Projects |
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| Authors: | Sara Sanders Lorraine T Dorfman Jerry G Ingram |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Social Work , The University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa, USA sara-sanders@uiowa.edu;3. School of Social Work and Aging Studies Program , The University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa, USA;4. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Addiction Studies , University of Arkansas , Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA |
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| Abstract: | The Geriatric Enrichment in Social Work Education (GeroRich) initiative was a critical step in addressing the national shortage of social workers interested in gerontological practice. Sixty-seven social work programs participated in the 3-year GeroRich project designed to infuse gerontological content into the BSW and MSW curriculum. This study analyzed the lessons learned by participating institutions about the curriculum enrichment effort. Five themes emerged from the qualitative analysis of GeroRich final reports: (a) obtaining faculty buy-in and faculty development, (b) increasing student interest and engagement, (c) developing community partners, (d) developing interdisciplinary linkages, and (e) facilitating institutional commitment and sustainability. The findings from this study provide valuable information on the implementation of curricular enrichment efforts in gerontology that can benefit social work and other health care disciplines. |
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| Keywords: | Gerontology education social workers infusion geriatric enrichment |
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