We cannot ignore it: ageing is happening here and now!
People are living longer and longer, bringing additional challenges to our society. People who are getting older and less mobile may experience symptoms and obstacles as a result. Thus, many older people come in contact with a physiotherapist. The geriatric physiotherapist specializes in caring for the frail older adult from both a preventive and curative perspective. Patients primarily do exercise therapy, aimed at regaining and coping with loss of mobility and independence. In addition, the geriatric physiotherapist also helps patients who experience additional symptoms, for example, due to a stroke, dementia or Parkinson's disease. Finally, attention is also required for fall prevention, malnutrition, and sarcopenia.
Goals and setup
Since 2019, the profession of physiotherapists within older adults’ care has been a bottleneck (see VDAB bottleneck job list), so there is a high need for well-trained geriatric physiotherapists. Through this micro-credential, we want to address this shortage.
This micro-credential is organised in a flexible and interactive way, to optimize the combination of working and studying:
Blended learning: assignments offered online and asynchronously through modules on the VUB learning platform CANVAS (e.g. online reading assignments, webinars by international experts that can be followed at one's own rhythm) with linked assignments to be prepared individually
Online intervision sessions in small groups (max. 3-5) under the guidance of a lecturer (1x/3 weeks mandatory online attendance)
1 week on-campus (Geriatric Rehab Week) in April with focus on practical skills, offered by experts
English and Dutch is possible, depending on the language and size of the groups
For who is this micro-credential?
This micro-credential is for people with one of the following physiotherapy degrees:
Licentiates and Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy (or equivalent degrees within the field of physiotherapy)
Professional bachelor of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy (or equivalent degrees within the field of physiotherapy)
Foreign diplomas at least equivalent to Bachelor of Science (minimum 210 ECTS) awarded by an officially recognized higher education institution within the field of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy.
Micro-credentials are small academic-level courses that focus on specific competencies. They often consist of one or a few courses, or parts of them, that are usually also taught in a university undergraduate or graduate program. Usually the classes are taught for a few hours spread over one semester or one academic year. They are literally 'micro courses'.
If you pass the micro-credential, you receive a certificate as proof that you have acquired the competencies. So you also acquire real official credits. This is where micro-credentials differ from other continuing education courses, study days or lectures. The credits and competencies you obtain with a micro-credential are recognized in your further career, also internationally, and can for example lead to exemptions from continuing education at other institutions and organizations.
Micro-credentials are important for lifelong learning. After all, in our rapidly changing society, it is essential that everyone continues to work on renewing their own competencies. Obtaining a diploma is not the end of learning, but rather the beginning. Micro-credentials are blocks that you can stack and combine throughout your life and career to further direct your own pathway.
There are several advantages to taking micro-credentials. They are short courses and they are specific, teaching you only what you need to further your education or specialization. In addition, the certificate guarantees your acquired competencies and the credits are transferable and often recognized abroad. You can also endlessly combine and stack micro-credentials according to your needs and interests. They are a great asset on your CV.
Are classes compatible with work and personal life?
We put maximum effort into blended education, a combination of online classes and classes on campus. This way, students don't necessarily have to be on campus if they don't need to, but we also believe in the added value of physical teaching moments. Usually classes are taught for a few hours spread over one semester or one academic year. If there is mandatory attendance for a particular course, it will be clearly communicated in advance. You can always view the class schedules for the current academic year. In the class schedule you can find out whether a course is online, on-campus or via lecture recordings. If a course does not appear in the timetable, it can be followed via recordings. The best way to view the schedule is on a course-by-course basis. That way you can estimate whether it can be combined.
Documents needed
What documents do you need to follow this micro-credential? Find out here!
Deadlines
Check here when you can register for the next academic year at the latest.
Cost
All information about the cost of this micro-credential can be found here.
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