A resident-focused older adult social engagement curriculum to change assumptions and perceptions of aging

Social isolation and loneliness (SIL) are strongly associated with poor health outcomes among older adults; however, graduate medical education often limits dedicated geriatrics clinical training, leaving residents ill-prepared to care for older adults. In this work, the authors developed and evaluated a social constructivism–based curriculum for interns centered on nonclinical engagement with older adults, aimed at enhancing empathy and understanding of SIL. Our curriculum led to a shift in interns’ perceptions toward a more thoughtful understanding of aging and SIL and intentions to integrate a more complex outlook on aging and SIL into their future work.