I feel honored to have been invited as a speaker at the 32nd Conference of Greek Physiotherapists to discuss the pressing educational needs in geriatrics. It was incredibly rewarding to see how this topic resonated with the audience, highlighting the growing recognition of geriatrics as a critical area of focus for physiotherapists in Greece. The overwhelmingly positive feedback reinforced the importance of advancing and reshaping geriatric education to better prepare healthcare professionals for the challenges of an aging population.
During my presentation, 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.
A key highlight of the event was a remarkable announcement by the moderator of our round table, Dr. Maria Tsekoura, Assistant Professor at the Department of Physical Therapy of the University of Patras. After my presentation, she shared that the department plans to make the geriatrics course compulsory at the undergraduate level within the next two years. This step represents a significant advancement in the field, ensuring that future physiotherapists will be equipped with the essential skills and knowledge to meet the complex needs of older adults.
This conference truly underscored the meaningful impact that PROGRAMMING CA-21122 has on advancing geriatric education and care. I am grateful to have contributed to this vital dialogue and to witness the dedication of educators and practitioners to shaping the future of physiotherapy in Greece, while considering the critical role of geriatrics in their curricula.
Constantine Tsamasiotis has also been an ITC Conference Grantee at the 20th EuGMS Congress 2024 in Valencia.