Interdisciplinary Health Assessment of the Older Individual: A Conceptual Framework for Curricular Integration

Background and Purpose. Evidence indicates that interdisciplinary health assessment of the older adult improves identification of needs and referral to appropriate services, as well as improving quality of life. Objectives. The objectives of this article are: (1) to differentiate between and summarize evidence in support of a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to health assessment of the older adult, (2) to provide a conceptual framework for fostering interdisciplinary geriatric education, and (3) to describe challenges encountered in implementing interdisciplinary educational strategies for the professional (entry-level) physical therapist student. Framework. Three broad curricular elements are proposed as the foundation for progressing the physical therapist student toward multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary health care practice for the older adult: (1) the student must develop into a competent practitioner, with a scientific understanding of the varied motor control changes potentially encountered by the older adult, (2) the student must understand the indications for a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary health care assessment and respect the roles of other professionals in the health care assessment of the complex older adult, and (3) the student must gain a practical understanding of the dynamics involved in team decision making and prioritization of treatment approaches. Approaches to addressing these curricular goals within one curriculum are described and critiqued.