12 ECTS credits
340 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4013591FNR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
1st and 2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
For this course you have to meet certain enrolment requirements. For an overview of the enrolment requirements check https://www.vub.be/en/studying-vub/practical-info-for-students/study-guidance/study-path/individual-study-path#paragraph--id--71647 
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy
Department
Kinesitherapie, Menselijke Fysiologie en Anatomie
Educational team
Ivan Bautmans
David Beckwee (course titular)
Matthias Eggermont
Activities and contact hours
52 contact hours Lecture
52 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
80 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

This course unit is an in-depth exploration of various aspects critical to promoting and understanding healthy aging. This program is structured into 12 comprehensive modules, beginning with general information on evidence-based practice and encouraging lifelong learning within the field. It then covers specialized topics relevant to rehabilitation and preventive care in the context of healthy aging.


Topics covered in the course include:
- Evidence-based practices
- Journal clubs
- Healthy aging as defined by the World Health Organization
- Frailty and sarcopenia
- Training for balance and fall prevention
- Neurological disorders related to aging
- Rheumatism and osteoarthritis
- Physical activity
- Multimorbidity and polypharmacy


The course not only provides theoretical knowledge but also focuses on improving practical skills and professional networking. Students are encouraged to attend the annual Winter Meeting of the Belgian Society for Gerontology and Geriatrics in Ostend, Belgium. In addition, towards the end of the academic year, each student will organize a journal club with their peers to promote interactive learning and discussion.
A crucial feature of this module are the “Geriatric Rehab Days,” an intensive week held at the 'Health campus' in Brussels. During this week, students receive hands-on training from specialists in various topics discussed throughout the year.

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Handouts presentaties HOC, Canvas
Digital course material (Required) : Begeleidende wetenschappelijke literatuur, Canvas
Additional info

The course uses a blended learning approach in which assignments are offered online through a learning platform. Students prepare these assignments individually and at their own pace and then present their findings in a 10-15 minute presentation uploaded the day before the online peer review session. These sessions begin with peer review of presentations, followed by small group discussions with the goal of reaching consensus on assignment topics. Although supervised by an instructor, these sessions encourage independent student engagement without instructor intervention.
Group work is an essential component of this module, promoting diversity and communication among participants. Groups can be formed randomly or based on common interests or language preferences. After individual preparation, groups meet for discussions, where participants share insights, ask questions and learn from diverse perspectives. Peer evaluation, facilitated by tools such as Buddycheck, assesses each member's contribution, communication and teamwork, which promotes accountability and ensures everyone is an active participant.
 

Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

This OO contributes to the following learning outcomes:

  • The student will be able to apply the principles of the evidence-based medicine method to inform his/her clinical practice in older adults (complex case histories).
  • The student has knowledge and understanding of conditions specifically occurring in older patients.
  • The student has knowledge and understanding of evaluation and diagnosis of major geriatric syndromes.
  • The student has knowledge and insight in best-practice regarding rehabilitation within geriatric care.
  • The student has knowledge and insight in interaction with co-morbidity at an advanced age
  • The student has knowledge and insight in preventive and health promoting measures for older persons
  • The master can evaluate guidelines and research results in a systematic way, indicate their limitations and propose solution-oriented adaptations with regard to his clinical practice in a geriatric context.
  • The master masters specialized physical therapy treatment strategies and techniques for older adults with complex and specific conditions, based on international scientific evidence.
  • The Master is willing to constantly acquire new insights in the physical therapy field, in function of his further self-development and contribution to the further development of the profession, and continuously informs himself about the evolution of the professional organization.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 60% of the final mark.
SELF Teamwork determines 40% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Theorie with a relative weight of 60 which comprises 60% of the final mark.

Within the SELF Teamwork category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Permanente evaluatie with a relative weight of 40 which comprises 40% of the final mark.

    Note: voorbereiding van de lesopdrachten (beschikbaarheid van de voorbereidingen op Canvas), de individuele bijdrage tijdens de lesmomenten en de kwaliteit van het consensusdocument.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The module will conclude with a written examination.

The final evaluation of this training component will be based on the written exam (60%) and continuous evaluation (40%).

The continuous evaluation is based on the preparation of the teaching assignments, the individual contribution during the intervision sessions and the quality of the consensus document. Peer assessments will be used to establish the score of the permanent evaluation. The result will be individual adjustment factors. These assessments should be completed in a timely manner, before deadlines (communicated via Canvas), in each case. If no peer assessment is completed within the period before deadline, an adjustment factor of 0.7 will automatically be assigned to the student who did not submit.
 

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy: Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy in Older People (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy: Verkort traject Revalidatiewetenschappen en kinesitherapie bij ouderen (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy: Verkort traject Revalidatiewetenschappen en kinesitherapie voor de afgestudeerden van de masteropleiding lymfedrainage en oncologische fysiotherapie aan het ECDLT in Nederland (only offered in Dutch)