0Boston University School of Medicine – Alzheimer’s Disease Center

Boston University PAIRS Program:Partnering Medical Students and Patients with

Alzheimer’s Disease

Nicole Cantwell Angela Jefferson, PhD

Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center

Instructional Innovation ConferenceMarch 25th, 2011

0Boston University School of Medicine – Alzheimer’s Disease Center

PAIRS Program Origins:The Northwestern “Buddy Program”

Developed in 1997 to match first-year Northwestern University medical students with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients in the community

10-15 students participate each year

The BU PAIRS Program is the first to replicate the “Buddy Program” model and now serves as the replication model for similar programs developing in Arizona and New Hampshire

0Boston University School of Medicine – Alzheimer’s Disease Center

PAIRS Program Objectives

1. Educate students about AD and related cognitive impairment

2. Familiarize students with care and support-related issues encountered by individuals with AD and their families

3. Improve students’ communication skills when interacting with older adults and patients with cognitive impairment

4. Introduce students to research and career opportunities in neurology, geriatrics, and related fields

Gabi Merlin, BUSM Class of 2012PAIRS Program 2008-2009 Class

5. Provide individuals with AD with an opportunity to mentor a medical student and influence their future clinical practice

0Boston University School of Medicine – Alzheimer’s Disease Center

PAIRS Program – Program Model

JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY

Student & Buddy Recruitment

Student Interviews & Selection

Orientation Sessions (2)

Match Day Party

Monthly Buddy Activity & Activity Journal

Monthly Student Luncheons

End-of-the-Year Appreciation Luncheon

0Boston University School of Medicine – Alzheimer’s Disease Center

PAIRS Program – Evaluation Methods

Dementia Knowledge Test

Students were administered a 33 item pre- and post-program assessment

Jefferson, Cantwell, Byerly, & Morhardt, Under Review, JAGS

0Boston University School of Medicine – Alzheimer’s Disease Center

Dementia Knowledge Assessment

Jefferson, Cantwell, Byerly, & Morhardt, Under Review, JAGS

*p<0.00001

0Boston University School of Medicine – Alzheimer’s Disease Center

PAIRS Program – Evaluation Methods

Dementia Knowledge Test

Students were administered a 33 item pre- and post-program assessment

Jefferson, Cantwell, Byerly, & Morhardt, Under Review, JAGS

Reflective Essay

At the end of each program year, students are asked to write an essay addressing the following topics:

1.What did you know about AD before beginning PAIRS?

2.What did you learn during the PAIRS Program?

3.How will the PAIRS experience influence your future work as a physician?

0Boston University School of Medicine – Alzheimer’s Disease Center

Reflective Essay Assessment

Reasons for joining PAIRS ProgramEducational value of monthly program

luncheons/meetings

Previous scientific knowledge of AD Human side of AD

Previous personal experience with AD patient Care partner burden

Initial impressions of buddyBuddy and care partner's hopeful outlook towards

having AD

Observation of AD symptoms Program impact on clinical practice

Greater understanding of AD Influence on medical specialization

Essays from first 3 program years (n=33) were qualitatively analyzed using Consensual Qualitative Research strategies

12 themes emerged, which are consistent with program objectives:

Jefferson, Cantwell, Byerly, & Morhardt, Under Review, JAGS

0Boston University School of Medicine – Alzheimer’s Disease Center

PAIRS Program – Student Feedback

“My buddy forever altered my limited knowledge of Alzheimer’s, and gave it a face and personality in a way that no other experience could have.” – SH, 2008-2009 Program

“It’s one thing to study how proteins build up in the brain and affect cognitive functioning, it’s quite another to see how families deal with a fading husband or father.” – NC, 2008-2009 Program

“I got a sense of the frustrations associated with being a caretaker and things one has to worry about that I wouldn’t have imagined.” – MG, 2009-2010 Program

Jeremy Kim, BUSM Class of 2013,PAIRS Program 2009-2010 Class

0Boston University School of Medicine – Alzheimer’s Disease Center

PAIRS Program – Student Feedback

“I’ve learned so much about AD not just from my buddy but also from my fellow classmates in the PAIRS Program who shared their experiences and reactions in our monthly meetings.” – RK, 2007-2008 PAIRS Program

“PAIRS has allowed me to develop a good bedside manner and to see an individual as a whole person rather than just a patient…

It has given me knowledge and experience to be a better physician regardless of the field that I go in to.” – SL, 2009-2010 PAIRS Program

Ruju Rai, BUSM Class of 2011,PAIRS Program 2007-2008 Class

0Boston University School of Medicine – Alzheimer’s Disease Center

PAIRS Program - Family Feedback

“We appreciate this opportunity! I feel like we are both getting and giving... It was also useful knowing we were contributing to [our student buddy’s] education.” – CA, buddy’s wife

Emily Kidd, BUSM Class of 2013PAIRS Program 2009-2010 Class

Melissa Ghulam, BUSM MD/PhD StudentPAIRS Program 2009-2010 Class

“The program opened us up to new opportunities and allowed my husband to share his expertise.

I would recommend this group to other diagnosed individuals because it is helpful in the process of change. It is a dynamic program.” – JW, buddy’s wife

0Boston University School of Medicine – Alzheimer’s Disease Center

PAIRS Program - Benefits

Provides an ongoing, first-hand perspective into the patient’s life

Longitudinal element facilitates the development of a meaningful relationship

Enhances communication skills for working with a vulnerable patient population

Humanizes a chronic illness

Offers chance to appreciate firsthand the caregiver burden and care struggles families face on a day-to-day basis

Bridges basic science laboratory experiences, classroom learning, and clinical experiences with a real-world example of an incurable disease

0Boston University School of Medicine – Alzheimer’s Disease Center

AcknowledgementsFunding SourcesThe Kenneth B. Schwartz

Center (2007-2011)

The Arnold P. Gold Foundation (2008-2009)

PAIRS Program TeamAngela Jefferson, PhDNicole CantwellLaura ByerlySusan Lambe, EdM

Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineDarby Morhardt, MSW

PAIRS Program Students, Buddies, & Supportive Families

PAIRS Program 2007-2008 ClassPAIRS Program 2007-2008 Class

PAIRS Program 2008-2009 ClassPAIRS Program 2008-2009 Class

PAIRS Program 2009-2010 ClassPAIRS Program 2009-2010 ClassFor more information on the PAIRS Program, please contact:

Angela L. Jefferson, PhDBoston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center

72 East Concord St., Robinson 7800, Boston, MA 02118angelaj@bu.edu or 617-414-1129

PAIRS Program 20010-2011 ClassPAIRS Program 20010-2011 Class