From Education to Policy Impact in European Healthcare

We are pleased to welcome you to the final event of the PROGRAMMING COST Action 21122, taking place in Brussels on 16th of October 2026.

PROGRAMMING CA 21122 listed among the major transnational initiatives in education and training in geriatrics!

A newly published article by Prof. Román Romero-Ortuño et al. in European Geriatric Medicine takes a fresh look at transnational initiatives in geriatrics education and training, revealing connections, gaps, and opportunities for collaboration.

Has your Organization already endorsed PROGRAMMING CA21122?

The PROGRAMMING COST Action 21122 is dedicated to bridging significant gaps in Geriatric Medicine education across Europe, fostering a pan-European network committed to holistic, patient-centered care for older adults.

New Publication & Video! – PROGRAMMING

We encourage all members and stakeholders to read the article and share the video within your networks. Together, let’s raise awareness about the importance of structured and needs-based education in Geriatric Medicine!

PROGRAMMING COST Action in 90 seconds

Know more about our COST Action by watching our 90 second video

Our Endorsing Partners

Meet all the scientific societies, professional organizations, academic groups, stakeholders, and policymakers endorsing PROGRAMMING.

Respectful Language in PROGRAMMING CA 21122

Please take a moment to watch our latest video, which highlights important issues around respectful communication with older adults.

New WHO ICOPE release

The second version of the Integrated care for older people Handbook, Guidance for person-centred assessment and pathways in primary care has just been released by the WHO!

Creation of a Review Committee (RC) for the PROGRAMMING COST Action 21122

To assist PROGRAMMING CA applicants a committee has been formed (named ‘Review Committee’-RC).

PROGRAMMING COST Action in 90 seconds

PROGRAMMING • COST ACTION CA21122

PROmoting GeRiAtric Medicine in countries where it is still eMergING

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Our Ambition

Identify a pragmatic set of possibilities for continuous professional education in Geriatric Medicine (GM), that will be globally endorsed, to propose to stakeholders and policymakers across Europe, to facilitate or trigger change at each national level towards a minimum but substantial integration of principles of Geriatric Medicine in the attitudes and practices of practitioners and would eventually prepare the ground for more extended changes in countries where Geriatric Medicine is still emerging.

Publications

Explore the scientific publications resulting from PROGRAMMING, showcasing the research, findings, and collaborative work developed throughout the Action.

From the multinational survey on the educational needs of healthcare professionals in Geriatric Medicine to studies on training, gender equity and interprofessional competencies, these peer-reviewed articles provide the evidence base behind PROGRAMMING’s proposals for education, implementation and policy in countries where Geriatric Medicine is still emerging.

PROGRAMMING in videos

Watch the Q&As and videos related to the PROGRAMMING COST Action, featuring insights from researchers and outcomes developed throughout the Action.

Project Experiences

September 2025
- Chenhui Chen
This congress not only deepened my understanding of key topics in geriatric medicine but also reaffirmed my commitment to advancing research and improving the quality of care and life for older adults.
October 2025
- Zeynep Rumeysa Beşışık Yılmaz
My first World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics was an excellent opportunity to expand my professional network.
July 2026
- Marília Fernandes
This collaborative environment has been fundamental in refining the analytical approach and strengthening the scientific framework of the study.
March 2026
- María Montero García
It is never too early for starting planning for our later life, the trajectory of our ageing having already got into track since early life.
May 2026
- Marina Kotsani
Attending this prestigious event was an incredibly enriching experience for my career, and I am happy to share my experiences with you.
October 2025
- Çiğdem Alkaç

Meet the Working groups

Aim: To highlight the current situation regarding GM in COST Member countries with a focus on GM education and training and map educational and training programs at an undergraduate, postgraduate, continuous medical education and professional training level. Additionally, conduction of a co-creation process by qualitative research methods in order to identify, describe and categorize unmet needs regarding GM education, GM-related health literacy, GM-related public awareness and appropriate implementation of training activities for health care professionals across the spectrum of health care settings in participant countries where GM is still emerging. The MC will take care so as most (if not all) of the countries in question and the ITC will be represented and actively participate in WG1.

Aim: define the content of the training courses in gm destined for professionals working in ambulatory settings and home care networks, taking into account the results of t1.2, 1.3 and 1.4, already available curricula, literature review, including gray literature, knowledge obtained during stsm, stakeholders meetings, mc meetings and internal delphi procedure. Provide variations according to settings where trainees work.

Aim: Define the content of the training courses destined for professionals working in acute/subacute and long-term care settings, taking into account the results of T1.2, 1.3 and 1.4, already available curricula, literature review, including grey literature, knowledge obtained during STSM, stakeholders’ meetings, MC meetings and internal Delphi procedure. Provide variations according to settings where trainees work.

Aim: To propose a variation of the implementation of the educational course, described by WG2 and WG3, with the aid of ICT for remote application of the training so as to maximize impact and face education and training challenges in case in-person training is not possible and to incorporate various novel didactic methods. Activities and tools to accomplish the task: meetings and interviews with experts, focus groups, knowledge obtained during STSM.

Aim: To raise awareness and promote the added value of the specialized approach of GM in the health and wellbeing of older people among health care professionals, policy makers, older people and the general public, as well as to build GM-related health literacy among health care professionals. Furthermore, to influence policy makers of the local and the international scene in favour of the necessity of developing specialized geriatric care for older people. Eventually, to investigate financing possibilities and trace interested parties for future opportunities (beyond the PROGRAMMING Action) of further development of the training course as a final product, ready and available for use.

Latest Updates

Interested in the European Geriatric Medicine Specialty Exam (EGeMSE)? Here are two timely updates for future candidates and everyone involved...

Final meeting of the H2020 AFFIRMO project

On Tuesday, 8 September, from 13:00 to 17:00, the final meeting of the H2020 AFFIRMO project will take place: “Transforming...

Final Conference – Celebrating what PROGRAMMING CA21122 has archived and exploring what’s next

Dear colleagues, partners, and friends,  Welcome to the Final Conference of PROGRAMMING COST Action 21122, which will take place online...

PROGRAMMING CA 21122 in the Spotlight!

We are proud to see PROGRAMMING featured by COST, bringing the Action and its achievements to a wider European audience....

After months of collaborative work, expert discussions, stakeholder engagement and co-creation, we are delighted to announce that the PROGRAMMING COST...

Final Conference of COST Action CA21137 – Ethics in Dementia (EDEM)

We are pleased to invite you to the Final Conference of COST Action CA21137 – Ethics in Dementia (EDEM), taking place...

From Education to Policy Impact in European Healthcare

We are pleased to welcome you to the final event of the PROGRAMMING COST Action 21122, taking place in Brussels...

Building Geriatric Medicine in Emerging Health Systems: From Concept to Implementation of Person-Centred Care

Dear Colleagues and friends, It is a distinct honour to welcome you to the joint event co-organised by PROGRAMMING (PROmoting...

European Geriatric Medicine Specialty Exam – News!

The European Geriatric Medicine Specialty Exam (EGeMSE) continues to grow as an important opportunity for trainees and specialists to gain...

European Geriatric Medicine Specialty Exam (EGeMSE)

The European Geriatric Medicine Specialty Exam (EGeMSE) continues to grow as an important opportunity for trainees and specialists to gain...

Invitation to SIG on Education & Training Special Online Open Meeting on IAGG-EuGMS collaboration!

 Date: Thursday, 4 June 2026 Time: 17:00–18:00 CEST (16:00–17:00 BST) This event brings together leading voices in geriatric education and training and will...