A Web-based Geriatrics Portfolio to Document Medical Studentsʼ Learning Outcomes

An individualized, interactive, Web-based geriatrics portfolio to track the acquisition and mastery of learning outcomes related to geriatrics for students to demonstrate proficiency in these outcomes as a graduation requirement.

Abstract

The geriatrics portfolio serves to identify and highlight geriatrics-related content across the four years. Its interactive features make it much more dynamic than a written transcript. Requiring proficiency in learning outcomes related to geriatrics for graduation will clearly convey to students that this information is critically important in their training to become physicians. The individualized evaluation summaries will prove useful to the student because self-directed learning opportunities can be targeted to address weak areas. Evaluation of performances will also aid program directors to appropriately modify the curriculum to address any deficiencies. This innovative Web-based approach to capture learning outcomes that are dispersed throughout a four-year curriculum may also find application in similar curricula (e.g., women's health and end-of-life care).