ABSTRACT
Many factors affect how individuals and populations age, including race, ethnicity, and diversity, which can contribute to increased disease risk, less access to quality healthcare, and increased morbidity and mortality. Systemic racism-a set of institutional policies and practices within a society or organization that perpetuate racial inequalities and discrimination-contributes to health inequities of vulnerable populations, particularly older adults. The National Association for Geriatrics Education (NAGE) recognizes the need to address and eliminate racial disparities in healthcare access and outcomes for older adults who are marginalized due to the intersection of race and age. In this paper, we discuss an anti-racist framework that can be used to identify where an organization is on a continuum to becoming anti-racist and to address organizational change. Examples of NAGE member Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Programs (GWEPs) and Geriatrics Academic Career Awards (GACAs) activities to become anti-racist are provided to illustrate the framework and to guide other workforce development programs and healthcare institutions as they embark on the continuum to become anti-racist and improve the care and health of vulnerable older adults.
Subject(s)
Geriatrics , Health Equity , Systemic Racism , Humans , Aged , Healthcare Disparities/ethnology , Health Workforce , Vulnerable Populations , Organizational Innovation , Health Services AccessibilityABSTRACT
Older adults with complex needs reside in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and are cared for by nurses and social workers with limited geriatrics education. We describe the pilot phase of an educational model using the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) platform to teach geriatrics principles to SNF staff. Twenty-five unique participants from 7 total facilities enrolled, with twenty-two participants completing both the pre/post surveys. Statistically significant improvement was seen in participants' self-efficacy to treat patients with dementia, educate patients about hospice and palliative medicine options, and assess and manage infections in older adults. The two largest barriers participants identified in making changes after the series were the time pressures of caring for complex geriatric patients and staff available to assist with social support needs of older adults. ECHO-Chicago's Geriatrics SNF pilot series is innovative and shows promise to provide geriatrics education for the SNF workforce.
Subject(s)
Education, Distance , Geriatrics/education , Nurses , Skilled Nursing Facilities , Social Workers/education , Adult , Educational Measurement/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Male , Models, Educational , Self Efficacy , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Geriatrics knowledge and expertise is critical to the care of older adults in skilled nursing facilities. However, opportunities for ongoing geriatrics training for nurses working in skilled nursing facilities are often scarce or nonexistent. This feasibility study describes a mixed-methods analysis of nurses' educational needs and barriers to continuing education in a for-profit skilled nursing facility in an underserved, urban environment. Potential mechanisms to overcome barriers are proposed.
