82 INVESTIGATING LEARNING NEEDS, OUTCOMES, AND CURRICULA IN HEALTHY AND ACTIVE AGEING: A SCOPING REVIEW AND MULTINATIONAL SURVEY

Abstract

Abstract Background Older people are projected to make up almost one third of the European population by 2060. Healthy and active ageing (HAA) and age-friendly society frameworks offer a method to capitalise on this increasingly older demographic. To inform a new online EU-based taught masters programme, a scoping review and subsequent multinational survey were conducted to identify potential students’ learning needs related to these frameworks. Methods The scoping review included a systematic search of four databases. Data were extracted from 32 studies, guiding the development of an anonymous online survey targeting senior undergraduates and recent graduates; future employers; relevant academics; and other key stakeholders (e.g. advocacy groups, policy-makers, and ‘expert’ older people). Participants ranked the importance of 14 broad topics and linked subtopics on a Likert scale, and suggested other key topics. Descriptive data from the first survey wave are presented. Results The scoping review revealed a literature focus on intergenerational learning, age-related design, health, attitudes towards ageing, and collaborative learning. Few studies (16%) surveyed students to determine their learning needs. While 72% of studies reported programme evaluations, most were informal/unstructured. From the 473 responses across the initial five survey participation countries (Ireland, Portugal, Greece, Austria, Slovenia), over 90% of potential students, academics, and ‘other’ stakeholders scored psychological aspects of ageing, health promotion, and social inclusion as important topics. In descending order, the workplace/retirement, human rights, physiological and social aspects of ageing, physical environment, technology, and older people in education, were next-ranked. Participants’ suggested other topics included sexual health, oral health, blue zones (regions with marked longevity), and the rights of vulnerable older people. Conclusion This study highlights the limited prior investigation into learning needs around HAA and age-friendly society, and demonstrates key stakeholder priorities for education content. The resulting European Masters in Active Ageing will commence student intake in 2023.