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Objective: To assess the changes in fifth-year medical students' perceptions of the importance of frailty and competence in assessing, diagnosing and managing frailty after a 4.5-week geriatric medicine course., Methods: Students' perceived importance and competence was assessed before and after the course using a 26-item Likert scale questionnaire with scores ranging from 1 to 6., Results: Students' perceptions of the importance of defining frailty (P = .01), explaining what frailty is (P = .03), advising on nutritional needs (P = .001) and exercise (P = .001) and prescribing an exercise program (P < .001) significantly improved after the course. Medical students' perceived competence in assessing, diagnosing and managing frailty was low to moderate precourse and increased significantly postcourse (2.3 [1.2] 4.9 [2.9], mean [IQR], P < .001) across all items., Conclusion: An appropriate curriculum focusing on geriatric health conditions such as frailty can improve senior medical students' perceived importance and competence in assessing, diagnosing and managing frailty., (© 2020 AJA Inc.)

Objective: To determine the effects of a 4.5-week geriatric medicine course on fifth year medical students' perception of the importance of and their competence in prescribing exercise to older people., Methods: The modified Exercise and Physical Activity Competence Questionnaire was administered to 81 students before and after the course. Scores ranged from 0 to 6. One open-ended question about perceived barriers to exercise prescription was asked., Results: Students' perceptions of the importance of designing an exercise prescription (P = 0.038), determining the training heart rate (P = 0.021), determining the body mass index (P > 0.001), referring an older person to an exercise program (P > 0.001) and identifying age-related limitations (P = 0.029) improved significantly after the course. Students' self-perceived competence improved significantly across all items (P > 0.001). Barriers to exercise prescription included lack of: knowledge (57%), patient compliance (39%) and time (33%)., Conclusion: A geriatric medicine course contributes to improved senior medical students' perceptions of importance of and their competence in prescribing exercise to older people., (© 2017 AJA Inc.)