Inter-Aging+: Rethinking Continuing Education for Health and Social Services Professionals on Aging

Abstract

The challenges associated with an aging population now more than ever require interdisciplinary continuing education for health and social services professionals, who are increasingly expected to work with older adults and their caregivers. Among the educational tools available, the learning object repository (LOR) appears to be an efficient online learning environment, making educational content accessible to many learners. In addition, the development of a LOR can encourage collaboration and sharing of expertise in the field of aging. We describe the codesign process of a LOR called Inter-Aging+ aimed at empowering professionals with four of the ten competencies of a framework of interprofessional competencies in social care and services for older adults and their caregivers; present the acceptability, feasibility and outcomes of 11 e-learning objects (modules) among health and social services professionals; and discuss the collaboration and sharing of expertise offered by the codesign of the LOR. Using a mixed-method design, a project was carried out with professionals from various health and social services disciplines, professors from several faculties, older adults, and caregivers. The e-learning objects were found to be acceptable and feasible, in addition to increasing the level of knowledge of professionals. Participants also noted the impact of the knowledge acquired on their professional practice. In adding to the documentation of the codesign process of a first-of-its-kind LOR in the field of aging in Canada, this project enabled learners to deepen certain interprofessional skills essential to the benefit of older adults as well as promoting interfaculty collaboration.

Presenters

Véronique Dubé
Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada

J. Ignace Olazabal

Louise Papillon Ferland
Associate Clinical Professor, Pharmacy Faculty, Montreal University, Canada

Maryse Soulieres
Professor, School of Social Work, University of Montreal, Canada

Alizée Lajeunesse
Research Associate, Faculty of Nursing, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Sébastien Grenier

Nadia Gargouri
Assistant Professor , Oral Health, Faculty of Dentistry - University of Montreal , Quebec, Canada

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

2025 Special Focus—Aging, Intergenerational Solidarity and the Polycrisis

KEYWORDS

Aging, Health and Social Services Professionals, Continuing Education, Learning Object Repository