In Fall 2021, student Walker Banks took USI’s Gerontology 215 course, which is Introduction to Global Aging and Healthcare. While a student in that class, he participated in hands-on learning using innovative tools for geriatrics, such as telehealth kits. This class solidified Walker’s desire to work with older adults in his future career.
Walker Banks is currently a junior who is working on earning his degree in Health Services. Originally, Walker wanted to earn a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy; however, he has since changed his specialty to Health Administration. He hopes to continue his education in graduate school, become a health administrator and work with older adults.
When asked about USI’s Gerontology 215 class, Walker described the class’s use of telehealth technology. According to Walker, all the necessary components, such as thermometers, blood pressure cuffs and a tablet are included in a kit. Patients can use these kits to check their vitals, which would be relayed to a physician. The physician would be on the tablet speaking to the patient during this time. Before taking Gerontology 215, Walker had heard of such kits used in telehealth, but he had never seen them used before. He found the experience to be fascinating. He believes such technology will be extremely helpful for delivering quality care for patients who are unable to attend a doctor’s appointment in person.
When asked what innovations he would bring to the Gerontology 215 class, particularly to the telehealth portion of the class, Walker stated that he thinks a workshop to educate patients on using the technology would be invaluable. By teaching people how the components of the telehealth kits work, patients can be ready whenever they are at their doctor’s appointments. Walker also suggested USI’s setting aside funds for certain occurrences to aid the community. Such funds could be used for transporting patients, buying telehealth kits and providing bus passes. He also mentioned asking for donations from the community, with incentives for certain amounts of money donated, such as merchandise or coupons.
When asked about the innovations he saw while taking Gerontology 215, Walker cited the importance of collaboration between healthcare service providers and patients. He states focusing on what the patient needs and by working with the patients to create a plan of care is very important, and he plans on implementing such collaboration techniques in his future career.
