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Examining the Effects of an Experiential Learning Program for Persons with Dementia and First-Year Medical Students: Results from the Buddy Program

The purpose of this presentation is to examine the experience of first year medical students who take part in the Buddy Program, a project which pairs Northwestern medical students with persons with early stage dementia, provides education for medical students about care and support issues for patients and provides patients an opportunity to mentor students. Buddy pairs meet monthly for social activity during the academic year. A qualitative retrospective analysis of medical student narrative data will be presented.

Darby Morhardt, MSW, LCSW
Research Associate Professor / Director ­ Education
Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center / Northwestern
University Feinberg School of Medicine