A Service-Learning Program Based on Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Health Promotion in Older Adults: Protocol for the GEROS Project

Abstract

Background: Population ageing presents increasing challenges for health systems. Identifying complex needs and planning individualized care through Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), promoting intergenerational engagement and empowerment via Service-Learning, are key strategies to support healthy and active aging. The general aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of a Service-Learning program that brings undergraduate health students into contact with community-dwelling older adults, assessing its benefits for students’ professional development and for older adults’ knowledge regarding their health. Methods: Research protocol for Service-Learning program with a mixed methodology and experimental intervention design, involving undergraduate students from Nursing, Physiotherapy, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy and Psychology degrees, and older adults from the community over 60 years old. The intervention at the university, consisting of three sessions, will be based on CGA. Student data will be collected during the final session using the questionnaire developed and validated by León-Carrascosa et al. (2020) to evaluate Service-Learning in higher education. After the first and last session, an additional questionnaire will assess satisfaction and perceived competency development. Older participants will be assessed with VIG-Frail, Integrated Care of Older People (ICOPE) screening tool, EuroQol 5D-5L, Nursing Outcomes Classification and sociodemographic data. They will complete a post intervention questionnaire regarding their satisfaction, perceived health status, knowledge of healthy lifestyle habits, and awareness of community resources, whose items will be evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale. Data will be collected through the REDCap platform and analysed using SPSS. Qualitative data from focus groups will undergo thematic analysis. Discussion: This study seeks to enhance both education and community health by integrating Service-Learning into health sciences training aligned with the WHO ICOPE framework. It aims to assess students’ perceptions of their preparation in geriatric assessment and person-centred care, while supporting early frailty detection and promoting healthy ageing in the community. Overall, it contributes to preparing future professionals for population ageing.