Introduction A multidisciplinary approach to Geriatric medicine is imperative in ensuring optimum patient care. At undergraduate and junior doctor level, individuals rarely understand the multiple roles within a multidisciplinary team. The authors aimed to increase knowledge and raise awareness towards these roles with design of an interactive, case-based teaching session.
Methods The designed session incorporated the use of a volunteer and multiple props and was facilitated by a Consultant Geriatric physician. The volunteer took on the role of an elderly patient and was instructed to undertake multiple timed-tasks with varying impairments applied. A repeat of these tasks was then undertaken with certain impairments lifted, likening the resolved impairments to the role of physiotherapists, occupational therapy, and other disciplines utilised within the multidisciplinary team.
Results Participants were asked to rate the teaching session on content, structure, presentation, and overall quality score. 100% percent of participants strongly agreed that the teaching session was of high quality, as too did they strongly agree that the content of the session was at an appropriate level.
Conclusions This method of teaching offers both a visual and audible representation that promotes the development of effective relationships among health care professionals. Despite resounding positivity for this unique method of teaching, participant feedback emphasised that improvements were possible with future attendance of multidisciplinary team members at the session. Generally, this innovative educational session offers a novel and cost effective method of increasing and improving inter-professional understanding through a practical method that participants find informative and enjoyable.