{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]],"date-time":"2026-09-30T17:44:16Z","timestamp":1790790256293,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":24,"publisher":"Aboutscience Srl","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,25]],"date-time":"2025-04-25T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1745539200000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Arch. Physioter"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Introduction: To address the health needs of the aging population, it is necessary to map entry-level curricula for health professionals. This survey investigated geriatric-related content in entry-level physical therapist (PT) curricula offered by Italian universities.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using the CROSS checklist. A 66 questions survey was developed and sent via e-mail to all entry-level PT program directors of the Italian universities.Results: A total of 34 physical therapist undergraduate course directors out of 62 completed the survey, yielding a 54.8% response rate. These results highlight the need for greater emphasis on health promotion and prevention. Although essential competencies such as the promotion of an active lifestyle and fall prevention appear to be well covered, other aspects remain underrepresented. Relevant gaps were also noted in the care and rehabilitation of some common chronic conditions (e.g., constipation, depression, and diabetes), as well as in therapeutic education. Greater attention to these topics could help align training with the emerging needs of the healthcare system. However, 11.76% of Italian PT programs do not include specific modules or courses dedicated to geriatric rehabilitation. Overall, there is considerable variability in teaching hours, topic coverage, and depth.Conclusions: This study provides meaningful insights for updating the current PT curricula in geriatric care. This survey could represent a tool for future longitudinal research on mapping curricula over time in response to the aging population.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.33393\/aop.2025.3418","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,29]],"date-time":"2025-04-29T07:37:24Z","timestamp":1745912244000},"page":"69-76","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Entry-level physical therapist curricula in geriatric care: an Italian national survey study"],"prefix":"10.33393","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-9120-2776","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Francesco","family":"Bucchi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-7729-2578","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sara","family":"Dal Ben","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2327-6494","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Antonio","family":"Culcasi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-1508-9118","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Stefano","family":"Lecora","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9037-4767","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Roberto","family":"Tedeschi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3328-7047","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marco","family":"Da Roit","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"18642","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,25]]},"reference":[{"key":"16619","unstructured":"1. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. World Population Ageing 2023: Challenges and Opportunities of Population Ageing in the Least Developed Countries. United Nations Research Institute for Social Development; 2024. https:\/\/desapublications.un.org\/publications\/world-population-ageing-2023-challenges-and-opportunities-population-ageing-least"},{"key":"16620","unstructured":"2. Dijkman B, Roodbol PF, Aho J, et al. European Core Competences Framework for Health and Social Care Professionals Working with Older People. 2016. Online https:\/\/researchrepository.ul.ie\/articles\/report\/European_core_competences_framework_for_health_and_social_care_professionals_working_with_older_people_\/19827097?file=35236795"},{"key":"16621","unstructured":"3. World Health Organization. Long-term care for older people: package for universal health coverage. 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La formazione \u201ccore\u201d del fisioterapista. Scienza Riabilitativa; 2011:13."},{"key":"16631","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"13. Liddle J, Beattie E, Gannon B, Bennett S, Pachana NA. Ageing as part of the curriculum for healthcare professionals: A Queensland Survey. Australas J Ageing. 2020;39(3):e447-e453. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/ajag.12775 PMID:32064710","DOI":"10.1111\/ajag.12775"},{"key":"16632","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"14. Strasburg DM, Gingher MC. A review of entry level education in gerontology. Am J Occup Ther. 1986;40(8):557-560. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5014\/ajot.40.8.557 PMID:3752222","DOI":"10.5014\/ajot.40.8.557"},{"key":"16633","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"15. Wedge F, Mendoza M, Reft J. Development of geriatric curricular content within a physical therapist assistant education program. Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 2014;28(2). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/00001416-201401000-00011","DOI":"10.1097\/00001416-201401000-00011"},{"key":"16634","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"16. Ironside PM, Tagliareni ME, McLaughlin B, et al. Fostering geriatrics in associate degree nursing education: an assessment of current curricula and clinical experiences. J Nurs Educ. 2010;49(5):246-252. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3928\/01484834-20100217-01 PMID:20210290","DOI":"10.3928\/01484834-20100217-01"},{"key":"16635","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"17. Eleazer GP, Doshi R, Wieland D, et al. Geriatric content in medical school curricula: results of a national survey. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005;53(1):136-140. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1532-5415.2005.53023.x PMID:15667390","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1532-5415.2005.53023.x"},{"key":"16636","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"18. Granick R, Simson S, Wilson LB. Survey of curriculum content related to geriatrics in physical therapy education programs. Phys Ther. 1987;67(2):234-237. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/ptj\/67.2.234 PMID:3809250","DOI":"10.1093\/ptj\/67.2.234"},{"key":"16637","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"19. Solon JA, Kilpatrick NS. Aging-related education in entry-level physical therapy curricula: national benchmark data. J Phys Ther Educ. 1989;3(1):3.","DOI":"10.1097\/00001416-198901000-00001"},{"key":"16638","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"20. Wong R, Stayeas C, Eury J, et al. Geriatric content in physical therapist education programs in the United States. J Phys Ther Educ. 2001;15(2):4.","DOI":"10.1097\/00001416-200104000-00003"},{"key":"16639","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"21. Perez CDA. Integration of geriatric content in entry-level physical therapy education in the Philippines: a pilot study. The Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy. 2022;1(2). 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