GPS

Gerontology - Psychiatric symptoms in older patients

Project Leader

Prof. Dr. Christoph Hock
chock@bli.unizh.ch
Abteilung für Psychiatrische Forschung, Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik
UNIZH
Lenggstr. 31
8029 Zürich

Project Coordinator

Pascal Py
pascal.py@bli.unizh.ch
UNIZH

Project Partners

Summary

GPS will foster a blended learning approach in geriatrics following the learning objectives as described by the Swiss Catalogue of Learning Objectives for Undergraduate Medical Training. It provides students with an interactive and Internet-based tool to work-up, diagnose and treat psycho-neuro-geriatric symptoms in elderly patients. Multi-media presentations (e.g. video, animation, and sequential image) offer a realistic scenario. Based on the concepts of Problem Based Learning (PBL) and visualization, the pedagogy aims at (1) active acquisition and application of knowledge and clinical competencies, (2) direct interpretation of the data by the learner, (3) focusing on skills that are not easily trained with written cases, and (4) setting up different levels of performance for several learners categories (undergraduate, graduate, continuing education). The use of simulated/standardized patients allows us to demonstrate the results of clinical interventions and treatments. It provides the necessary developmental freedom to create original storyboards that fully respond to teachers’ didactical needs. GPS uses the Bio-Med Portal platform and e-Community services (e.g. forum, FAQ, interactive glossary, tracking and reporting system) already supporting AD Learn, IOL courses. This allows the students to remain within the familiar environment while changing from one subject to the other (e.g. AD Learn – differential diagnosis of dementia, ImmunologyOnline – immunology, GPS – geriatrics). Since GPS takes advantage of the SCORM2004 Sequencing & Navigation capabilities, its standardized and flexible architecture facilitate the adaptation and exportation of cases into various learning contexts such as in continuing medical education. Overall, GPS aims to provide a learning solution in the field of geriatrics which will integrate state of the art aspects in didactics, technology and media production.