Training in Gerontology - what is it good for?

• One of the challenges for all universities is to implement theoretical knowledge and research into practice. Gerontology is multidisciplinary and many professionals may benefit from training in Gerontology. At the Institute of Gerontology, School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, students are offered different courses in Gerontology from basic to advanced level and up to doctoral program. The question is how they use the gained knowledge in Gerontology. Theoretically, many different professions can use training in Gerontology to develop care, rehabilitation, and social services for elderly people but do they, in practice? To use education in Gerontology there are several factors that must be in accordance, such as working load, resources, openness, and flexibility in the working environment and more.   This study has investigated how Gerontology students have used their gained knowledge in practice and if the increased knowledge contributed to improved care and services for elderly people. Furthermore, the aim was also to find out which factors that encouraged versus prevented the students to use their new knowledge in gerontology. A questionnaire was sent to all students with 7,5 or more ECTS in Gerontology at advanced level – in total 255 persons – in September 2009. In December 2009, 101 students had filled out and returned the questionnaire. The students who answered the questionnaire had on average 60 ECTS in Gerontology at advanced levels. This presentation will introduce the results from this study about the use of higher education in Gerontology in practice.  

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Gerontologi, medicinsk/hälsovetenskaplig inriktning (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

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