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Purpose <p>In many countries, geriatrics is still emerging as a speciality, with limited training options for healthcare professionals (HCPs). This international qualitative study aimed to explore the geriatric educational needs of HCPs, focussing on countries where geriatric medicine (GM) is emerging or underdeveloped.</p> Methods <p>Fourteen focus groups (<i>n</i> = 125 participants, 82% female, mean age 41.6&#xa0;years) were carried out representing ten European countries and a range of HCPs and settings. Focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and inductively coded in the original language. Codes were aggregated into a shared English codebook applied to all transcripts. Descriptive and subsequently analytical themes were then developed.</p> Results <p>Three themes were identified. (1) Current experiences of geriatric care: participants described caring for older adults as medically and socially complex, requiring strong communication skills and interprofessional collaboration. (2) Structural and contextual challenges: limited staffing, fragmented care pathways, and GM’s emerging status hindered effective care delivery. (3) Uncertainties and unmet training needs: key uncertainties included distinguishing ageing from disease, applying assessment tools, recognising red flags, and safe medication management. Participants emphasised the need for practical training during undergraduate studies, standardised interprofessional courses for non-specialists, and structural support (e.g. accessible programmes, protected time for training).</p> Conclusion <p>Currently, geriatrics training is limited and there are multiple contextual challenges, especially in countries with emerging GM. There is significant unmet need for HCP basic training in GM. Our study contributes to an empirical basis for developing relevant and feasible GM training for HCPs. Structural support is needed for these initiatives.</p>

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Assessment of European health professionals’ educational needs in basic principles of geriatric medicine: a focus group qualitative analysis from the PROGRAMMING COST Action 21122

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月11日

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  • Rachael Frost,
  • Ana Viegas,
  • Georgios-Konstantinos Tsamasiotis,
  • Mitilda Gugu,
  • Efterpi Mougakou,
  • Sumru Savas,
  • Robert Kupis,
  • Karolina Piotrowicz,
  • Susana Ganhão-Arranhado,
  • Ana Farinha,
  • Anna Marie Herghelegiu,
  • Ovidiu Lucian Bajenaru,
  • Catalina Raluca Nuta,
  • João Fonseca,
  • Anna Rudzińska,
  • Vesna Popov,
  • Pavlinka Milosavljevikj,
  • Vasiliki Sakellari,
  • Nilufer Demiral Yilmaz,
  • Helena Lesz-Przybył,
  • Ana-Gabriela Prada,
  • Maria Tampaki,
  • Laura M. Pérez,
  • Yolanda Barrado-Martín,
  • Christina Avgerinou,
  • Maja Ortner Hadziabdic,
  • Anna Christakou,
  • Eleni Moumtzi,
  • Stefan Arsov,
  • Santiago Cotobal Rodeles,
  • Evrydiki Kravvariti,
  • Marina Kotsani,
  • Tamar Yellon

摘要

Purpose

In many countries, geriatrics is still emerging as a speciality, with limited training options for healthcare professionals (HCPs). This international qualitative study aimed to explore the geriatric educational needs of HCPs, focussing on countries where geriatric medicine (GM) is emerging or underdeveloped.

Methods

Fourteen focus groups (n = 125 participants, 82% female, mean age 41.6 years) were carried out representing ten European countries and a range of HCPs and settings. Focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and inductively coded in the original language. Codes were aggregated into a shared English codebook applied to all transcripts. Descriptive and subsequently analytical themes were then developed.

Results

Three themes were identified. (1) Current experiences of geriatric care: participants described caring for older adults as medically and socially complex, requiring strong communication skills and interprofessional collaboration. (2) Structural and contextual challenges: limited staffing, fragmented care pathways, and GM’s emerging status hindered effective care delivery. (3) Uncertainties and unmet training needs: key uncertainties included distinguishing ageing from disease, applying assessment tools, recognising red flags, and safe medication management. Participants emphasised the need for practical training during undergraduate studies, standardised interprofessional courses for non-specialists, and structural support (e.g. accessible programmes, protected time for training).

Conclusion

Currently, geriatrics training is limited and there are multiple contextual challenges, especially in countries with emerging GM. There is significant unmet need for HCP basic training in GM. Our study contributes to an empirical basis for developing relevant and feasible GM training for HCPs. Structural support is needed for these initiatives.