Lisa Rotenstein, Katherine Perez, Diana Wohler, Samantha Sanders, Dana Im, Alexander Kazberouk and Russell S. Phillips
Health care systems increasingly demand health professionals who can lead interdisciplinary teams. While physicians recognize the importance of leadership skills, few receive…
Abstract
Purpose
Health care systems increasingly demand health professionals who can lead interdisciplinary teams. While physicians recognize the importance of leadership skills, few receive formal instruction in this area. This paper aims to describe how the Student Leadership Committee (SLC) at the Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care responded to this need by creating a leadership curriculum for health professions students.
Design/methodology/approach
The SLC designed an applied longitudinal leadership curriculum and taught it to medical, dentistry, nursing, public health and business students during monthly meetings over two academic years. The perceptions of the curriculum were assessed via a retrospective survey and an assessment of team functioning.
Findings
Most teams met their project goals and students felt that their teams were effective. The participants reported increased confidence that they could create change in healthcare and an enhanced desire to hold leadership positions. The sessions that focused on operational skills were especially valued by the students.
Practical implications
This case study presents an effective approach to delivering leadership training to health professions students, which can be replicated by other institutions.
Social implications
Applied leadership training empowers health professions students to improve the health-care system and prepares them to be more effective leaders of the future health-care teams. The potential benefits of improved health-care leadership are numerous, including better patient care and improved job satisfaction among health-care workers.
Originality/value
Leadership skills are often taught as abstract didactics. In contrast, the approach described here is applied to ongoing projects in an interdisciplinary setting, thereby preparing students for real-world leadership positions.
Details
Keywords
Kristina Marie Kokorelias, Adam Christopher, Anna Grosse, Joshua Wyman and Samir K. Sinha
Police officers increasingly respond to incidents involving aging-related issues, where older adults are vulnerable and require tailored approaches. This scoping review aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
Police officers increasingly respond to incidents involving aging-related issues, where older adults are vulnerable and require tailored approaches. This scoping review aims to map initiatives aimed at enhancing interactions between older adults and police and evaluates outcomes. Findings inform the development of a geriatrics-focused police training curriculum to support age-friendly policing. A literature search across major databases and grey literature yielded 20 relevant publications. Three main initiatives were identified: geriatrics-oriented training programs, specialized geriatric police units and geriatrics-oriented policing guidelines. These insights highlight effective strategies for improving police responses to aging-related challenges and guide future research and policy in this domain.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employed a scoping review methodology guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual and PRISMA-ScR checklist. A comprehensive search strategy was developed and executed across multiple databases and grey literature sources. Screening and selection of relevant studies were conducted in duplicate, with data extraction focusing on key elements such as study objectives, design, interventions and outcomes. Thematic analysis was employed to synthesize findings from included studies, highlighting three principal initiatives: geriatrics-oriented training programs, specialized geriatric police units and geriatrics-oriented policing guidelines. This approach aimed to map existing evidence, inform the development of a geriatrics-focused training curriculum and identify best practices for age-friendly policing.
Findings
The scoping review identified 28 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Findings highlighted varied approaches to enhancing police interactions with older adults, emphasizing training as pivotal. Effective strategies included specialized units, tailored training programs and guidelines integrating geriatrics principles. Key outcomes encompassed improved officer knowledge, communication skills and attitudes toward older adults, fostering enhanced service delivery and community relations. Evidence underscored the importance of ongoing education and collaborative partnerships in optimizing policing responses to aging populations, advocating for sustainable, age-friendly policing practices.
Research limitations/implications
The review’s limitations stem from primarily English-language studies, potentially overlooking non-English literature. Variability in study designs and outcomes poses challenges to synthesizing findings comprehensively. Limited generalizability may result due to geographic and cultural differences in policing practices. Future research could benefit from longitudinal studies assessing long-term impacts and broader inclusion of diverse policing contexts and perspectives, enhancing applicability and depth of understanding in optimizing police interactions with older adults.
Practical implications
Practical implications include informing policy makers and law enforcement agencies about effective strategies to enhance interactions with older adults, emphasizing communication skills and de-escalation techniques. Training programs should integrate age-sensitive approaches to improve officers’ awareness and response to older adults’ needs and vulnerabilities. Implementing community engagement initiatives can foster trust and cooperation, contributing to safer and more supportive environments for older adults in policing interactions. These efforts can ultimately promote enhanced well-being and reduced conflicts between law enforcement and older adults.
Social implications
Social implications highlight the need for broader societal awareness and education regarding the challenges faced by older adults in interactions with law enforcement. Addressing ageism and promoting respectful treatment can enhance community trust and reduce misunderstandings. Improved interactions between older adults and law enforcement can foster a more inclusive and supportive society, ensuring that older adults feel valued and protected. This can contribute to overall social cohesion and a more equitable experience for older adults in their interactions with law enforcement agencies.
Originality/value
The originality of this study lies in its focus on the intersection of age-related issues and law enforcement interactions, a relatively underexplored area in both gerontology and criminal justice research. By examining the perceptions and experiences of older adults and law enforcement officers, it provides valuable insights into mitigating ageism and improving interactions. The study’s findings contribute to enhancing understanding of how to promote respectful and effective communication between these groups, thereby offering practical implications for policy and training initiatives aimed at fostering better relationships and outcomes for older adults in law enforcement encounters.