Gerontological content in canadian nursing and social work programs

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nursing Education
• Social Work Education

Background:

• The Canadian population is aging rapidly.
• There is a growing need for healthcare professionals trained in gerontology.
• Existing curricula may not adequately prepare students for elder care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the extent of gerontological content in Canadian nursing and social work programs.
• To evaluate the alignment of curricula with the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE) competencies.
• To identify progress in interprofessional gerontological education.

Main Methods:

• A national survey of English-speaking nursing and social work programs in Canada.
• Utilized the NICE competencies list as the survey instrument.
• Data collected via online survey (Zoomerang.com) from deans or designates.

Main Results:

• Significant progress observed in integrating gerontological content into nursing and social work programs.
• Students are increasingly acquiring necessary knowledge and skills for elder care.
• Curricula appear to be adapting to the needs of an aging demographic.

Conclusions:

• Canadian higher education programs are enhancing gerontological training for future professionals.
• The findings suggest a positive trend towards better-prepared healthcare providers for older adults.
• Continued focus on interprofessional gerontological education is recommended.