GAIT

The Geriatrics Assessment Interprofessional Team (GAIT program) project is a free program for health and social science undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled in a University System of Maryland (USM) institution. GAIT introduces students to the comprehensive geriatric assessment and the fundamentals of interprofessional (interdisciplinary) collaboration through both didactic and clinical sessions. Total completion time is 8-9 hours.

The GAIT project provides an opportunity for students to:

  • Interact with students and professionals from a variety of disciplines;

  • Participate in team-building exercises that focus on the value of an interdisciplinary approach to improve quality of care for older adults;
  • Understand services provided to older adults; and
  • Learn about the needs of underserved older adult communities within our state

As an interprofessional learning experience, GAIT is designed to help students:

  • Understand the uniqueness of interprofessional teams and its value in providing person- centered care;
  • Recognize barriers to effective communication in health care teams and identify ways to reduce conflict and disagreement;
  • Explain aging processes and the diversity of the older adult population;
  • Evaluate best practices in honoring the autonomy of older persons; and
  • Employ effective intergenerational communication skills (verbal, non-verbal, written) to recruit prospects and engage with

Participants are expected to:

  • Register at least two weeks before the schedule start date of your select GAIT experience(s)
  • Participate fully in the GAIT experience. Information about expectations will be sent after your registration has been processed.

For more information about the educational and co-curricular opportunities in geriatrics and gerontology offered through GGEAR, visit the program website or contact the program director.