Testimonies

ITC Conference Grant contributed to my professional growth, established new contacts for future collaborations and empowered me to engage more effectively in the activities of the PROGRAMMING COST Action.

I had the opportunity to share insights from PROGRAMMING CA-21122. Highlighting initial findings and best practices from such an important initiative allowed me to provide a broader perspective on how Greece can align its physiotherapy education with European standards and priorities in geriatrics.

Participating in COST Action contributes significantly to my career: it allows me to meet researchers and stakeholders from many countries.

The session focused on collaborative efforts in geriatric care, and my presentation highlighted the significance of WG1's survey and the progress of educational needs assessments conducted as part of this initiative.

Being part of the COST Action PROGRAMMING CA21122 experience over the past year was a perfect example of the phenomenon of remote collaboration. (…) Being a young geriatrician (…), it was a particular privilege to hear from more experienced colleagues who are leading the project. (…) We all need to be inspired sometimes! (…) There is still the opportunity for others in our community to get involved (…)

As our global population ages, the need for well-trained geriatrics professionals has never been greater. A recent virtual initiative focused on understanding the education and knowledge gaps in geriatric care in different countries. (...) important insights that will help shape future training programs and improve the care of older adults worldwide. (...) These insights were important not only for the research team but also for the participants, who began to establish new professional networks following these discussions.

I recently had the honor of attending and presenting at the 20th EuGMS Congress in Valencia. (...). As a researcher and ITC grant holder, this congress provided a fantastic platform for me to share my work, learn from leading experts, and establish connections that will shape future research collaborations.

After very informative and full of networking opportunities meeting of COST Action, it was clear to me that joining PROGRAMMING was the best idea! (...) They support (...) young researchers like me.

I embarked on a transformative two-week Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) at the Geriatrische Klinik St.Gallen, Switzerland, supported by the COST PROGRAMMING CA21122. This journey was not just a mission; it was a pivotal opportunity to bridge the gap between current practices in Greece and advanced geriatric care techniques in Switzerland.

Thanks to the ITC Conference Grant of PROGRAMMING Cost project, I had the chance to participate in the 34 th Alzheimer Europe Conference “New horizons – Innovating for Dementia” (...) This was a good opportunity for networking and dissemination of the aims of the PROGRAMMING project. (...)Special thanks (...) for providing me with a bursary, enabling my participation and presentation in this huge scientific event.

With the support of the host institution’s team, I was able to create a 36-item frailty index, which showed strong correlations with outcomes like hospitalization duration, mortality rates, and heart failure conditions. (…) This mission not only helped me grow professionally but also sparked new ideas for how I can continue to contribute to the study of frailty in geriatric medicine.

A key highlight for me was the emphasis on inclusive social innovation. The participatory approaches, especially those involving older adults, closely aligned with my research on age-friendly spaces and services. The focus on engaging socially excluded older adults also resonated with my role as a coordinator of a third age university, making the training highly relevant to my work.