On March 18th and 19th, the AGE-MEDU consortium gathered in the picturesque coastal town of Šibenik, Croatia, for their first in-person transnational project meeting. This significant milestone provided an opportunity for consortium partners to connect face-to-face, fostering stronger collaboration and enhancing their joint efforts in improving gerontology and geriatric health education.
The primary focus of the meeting was to analyse key data regarding the existing gaps and needs in gerontology and geriatric health education and define strategies to gathered the missing data. These insights are essential for developing a comprehensive, tailored curriculum designed specifically for nursing professionals. By addressing these gaps, the project aims to ensure that nursing students are better equipped to provide high-quality care for older adults, a rapidly growing demographic with unique healthcare needs.
To achieve this goal, the consortium partners have outlined a clear plan of action. The first step involves creating a specialised nursing curriculum that incorporates evidence-based strategies to improve knowledge and skills in geriatric care. Following this, the consortium will develop educational materials aligned with the curriculum, ensuring they are accessible and effective for nursing students.
A particularly innovative aspect of the project is the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) technology into the educational materials. By leveraging VR, students will be able to immerse themselves in realistic caregiving scenarios, enhancing their learning experience and helping them develop practical skills in a controlled, interactive environment. This innovative approach is expected to improve the understanding of complex geriatric health issues.
The partners expressed great enthusiasm for the opportunity to gather in person for the first time, emphasising how this face-to-face interaction allowed for deeper discussions, stronger collaboration, and improved strategic planning. The meeting was a productive and motivating experience, reinforcing the consortium’s shared commitment to advancing gerontology and geriatric education through innovative methods and dedicated teamwork.