The study was conducted to explore information regarding the educational needs in GM of HCP who are not specialized in GM and work in Greece.
A qualitative design was employed in this study, using a focus group comprised of 10 healthcare professionals (9 females and 1 male: 4 nurses, 1 cardiologist, 1 health visitor, 1 occupational therapist, and 3 physiotherapists), along with two coordinators. The discussion was conducted in person and digitally recorded. Field notes were documented. Following transcription, the data were analyzed through thematic analysis using the NVivo14 software. COREQ checklist was used for reporting data. After being analyzed, data were not shared with participants.
Four main themes were identified and named: 1) Perceptions of older people’s care, 2) Issues of uncertainty in the management of older patients, 3) Knowledge gaps in the field of GΜ, 4) Unmet needs in education and training in GΜ.
Many views converged on the perception of older people’s care as a multi component term which includes a. healthy ageing, b. meeting the patient’s basic needs, c. prioritizing quality of life and d. special communication approaches.
HCP face uncertainty in prioritizing treatment goals, further aggravated by the shortages of the health and social system organization (staffing, healthcare system pressures such as lack of time, number of older people).
HCP identified knowledge gaps, including limited understanding of a. psychology, b. pharmacology, and c. the management of emergency situations in older patients.
HCP proposed a. establishing geriatrics as a mandatory course at an undergraduate level in all health science degree programs, b. establishment of relevant lifelong learning programs, and c. the creation of specialized interdisciplinary teams on a mobile basis under supervision of geriatricians.
The present study showed that incorporation of geriatric education at undergraduate level and throughout the career path of HCP is needed to address professional uncertainties and improve related skills.
The results of the study draw useful conclusions about the content of the HCP - training courses required.
Similar discussions in other countries will reveal a. whether consensus could be reached on the basic needs of older adults and thus set educational priorities b. whether more specific competencies should be required according to a specific country profile or a more global approach can be applicable in countries where geriatrics is developing, c. whether these competencies should be more specific to a certain professional profile or could be applicable to several disciplines.
The PROGRAMMING CA initiative aims to highlight these issues and propose solutions.
Education
Healthcare Professionals
