Can You See the Big Picture? – online course

The Big Picture course aims to educate nurses in performing the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) through innovative, learner-centred, and digitally enhanced education. By integrating real problem-based learning, digital games and work-based training, the curriculum strengthens nurses’ ability to meet the needs of ageing populations while fostering entrepreneurship in homecare services.

This course is designed for nurses working in primary healthcare who want to strengthen their ability to assess the comprehensive needs of older adults. Participants will learn to perform the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in order to see the “Big Picture” by integrating physical, cognitive, psychological, social, and environmental factors into care planning. Through blended learning, including online modules, digital game, and clinical practice, nurses will develop skills to identify frailty, support independent living, and deliver holistic, person-centred care. This course is comprised of video lectures, digital learning environments and digital games, work-based clinical training and seminars. In total the course is 8 ECTS and is divided into three sections.

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Theory

• Theory section is first and is worth 3 ECTS. It includes 21 video lectures that are in English. The lecture videos are 15-20 minutes long. The theory in this course is based on research findings of 3 different studies. These studies investigated what core competences are needed for primary care nurses to be able to perform a Comprehensive Geriatric Health Assessment. These core competencies are informed in the topics of the video lectures.

Pre-Training

• Pre-training section is also worth 3 ECTS. In this section the students play a Computer Game, a video simulation of patient care. Players will navigate through realistic patient cases, assess physical, cognitive, psychological, social, and environmental factors, and receive feedback on their choices. The aim is to provide nurses with an interactive, game-based learning experience that enhances their ability to perform a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment by applying CGA principles, selecting appropriate assessment tools, integrating findings into holistic care plans, and strengthening clinical reasoning in a safe digital environment.

Clinical Training

• Clinical training part is 2 ECTS. The students will choose 3 of their own real life geriatric patients in primary care settings and conduct Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments and participate in seminars where students present two of their geriatric cases to their peers.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Explain the principles and components of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). Apply CGA tools and methods in primary care and homecare settings. Analyse patient cases using problem-based learning approaches Demonstrate competence in performing CGA. Collaborate effectively with different professionals. Evaluate outcomes of CGA interventions and improve care quality and patient safety. Develop entrepreneurial approaches to homecare service provision, considering innovation, sustainability, and patient privacy. Integrate new knowledge and skills into ongoing professional practice. The grading for this course is presented as either pass or fail.