Review of "depression in the elderly-simulated patient small group activity"

Abstract

This activity teaches knowledge and skills regarding the assessment and management of geriatric depression to second-year medical students. Students actively participate in a standardized patient scenario with a "collateral source," which the authors define as a relative, friend, neighbor, healthcare power of attorney, or healthcare provider of a cognitively impaired patient who can provide additional history that might be more accurate than that obtained from the patient. Students also discuss proposed physical examination items, formulate a management plan with assistance from a handout on geriatric depression and facilitation by a faculty member, and receive feedback from the standardized patient and a "collateral source." This activity is designed to take c approximately 2 hours to administer to small groups of learners and emphasizes that depression often presents atypically in older adults.