As European society ages, healthcare and related social services are becoming increasingly important. This growing demand is creating unprecedented demands of skilled professionals on health and social care systems. In consequence, states are facing skills shortages in healthcare disciplines such as podiatry. Although podiatry has undertaken a significant transformation from the traditional practice to the integration and use of the latest technologies for user assessment, resources are needed to transform foot health care into a modern clinical speciality. In addition, stimulating and maintaining an adequate level of interest in podiatry will be of vital importance to contribute to its professionals’ progression and reward.
In this context arises PODIATRAIN project, with the aim to contribute to open pathways to the modernisation of the podiatry sector. PODIATRAIN - Open online course in new technologies for diagnosis and treatment of foot pathologies - is an international project which aim is to create a European high educational framework to homogenize and improve knowledge in advanced techniques and treatments as well as bring to bear the newest technologies for user assessment, covering the gap between foot care professionals and the continuous advances in the sector. PODIATRAIN will generate an e-learning tool available in two languages (English and Spanish).
This attached article presents the first project research outcomes, focused on three aspects: 1) training needs of podiatrists in different European countries, 2) the conceptual structure of the e-learning course, 3) the definition of the tools and methods for knowledge assessment, according to users’ expectations.
The methodology followed was based on the development of expert panels and self-reported surveys. The major findings of the study were the demanded subjects and contents for the course, the preferred format and the accreditation required.
Further information at: http://www.podiatrain.eu
This project is Funded by European Commission ERASMUS+
