OVERVIEW

The Geriatrics module, along with Pathophysiology, Nutrition and physical activity, and Pediatrics, is part of the Integrated Course 'Physiopathological aspects at various ages of life'.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The educational objectives of the teaching are aimed at acquiring knowledge about the main clinical problems of old age. In particular, the training path aims to develop skills on the major themes of geriatrics, focusing on the issues related to the neurological system, the motor system, as well as the metabolic and internal medicine conditions that characterize this stage of life.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The specific objectives are aimed at providing a solid foundation in the biological, physiological, and pathological mechanisms related to physical activity in aging, with particular attention to adapting physical exercise in the presence of geriatric syndromes, multimorbidity, clinical frailty phenotypes, and disability. The specific, transversal (soft skills), and professionalizing training objectives include the analysis and assessment of the health status, intrinsic capacity, and functional reserve of the elderly individual through the geriatric tool of multidimensional assessment (MDA), and the intrinsic capacity to develop individualized exercise protocols based on the clinical phenotype.

Furthermore, the training objectives aim to develop the ability to design and manage primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention exercise programs, constantly adapted to the clinical trajectory of the elderly individual. These programs are systematically and objectively monitored and periodically adjusted based on the MDA and the participants' progress. This adaptation of the intervention to the clinical and cultural context promotes the integration of the social dimension.

Key objectives include developing the ability to work in synergy with healthcare and social professionals, using appropriate technical language, through a multidisciplinary approach with adequate interpersonal and decision-making skills tailored to the care setting and the care needs of the elderly individual.

Finally, the geriatric knowledge gained will allow participants to independently update their knowledge of preventive and adapted physical activities based on scientific evidence, for which specific tools will be made available.

PREREQUISITES

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TEACHING METHODS

Lectures.

Video lessons may be recorded.

Innovative teaching methods.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course trains professionals specialized in using movement as a tool:

Preventative, to reduce the onset of disease and promote healthy lifestyles, outlining the intrinsic capacity construct and the WHO active aging objectives

Adapted, to intervene with people with disabilities, geriatric syndromes, sarcopenia, postural instability, immobilization syndrome, clinical frailty, and psychogeriatric syndromes.

Educational, to promote physical, mental, and social well-being and the inclusion of individuals with diverse abilities, especially in the geriatric setting, integrating the social aggregation dimension.

Particular attention will be paid to defining geriatric cases, designing and implementing physical activity programs aimed at achieving, maintaining, and maximizing physical activity and functional independence, and mitigating clinical trajectories of frailty. This includes organizing and planning specific activities and lifestyles aimed at preventing disease and improving quality of life through physical exercise.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

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TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

BARBARA MARENGO (President)

FIAMMETTA MONACELLI (President)

SUSANNA PENCO (President)

FEDERICA TRUCCO (President)

LIVIA PISCIOTTA (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

1st semester.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination modality consists of an oral presentation with power points or similar tools of small-group clinical cases with the development of a motor program adapted based on the identified geriatric clinical phenotype and an examination with multiple-choice quizzes.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Multiple-choice quiz.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, should contact the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liaise and arrange the specific teaching methods so that the learning aims and outcomes may be met.