After 36 months of collaboration, the Erasmus+ co-funded DI.S.C.O.P.M.B. project is coming to its end. Developed by a partnership of five countries (Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Finland and Austria) the project aimed to improve the skills of current and future social and healthcare professionals in delivering inclusive and diversity-sensitive care, in order to improve care provision for older adults from migrant backgrounds and their informal caregivers.
To promote inclusive care, DI.S.C.O.P.M.B. developed as first result a four-module training programme on diversity, migration, stereotypes, communication and practical care skills. Part of this achievement includes conducting 8 interviews with older migrants, mediators and healthcare professionals to bring real-life experiences and the perspectives of the target group into the project. It aims at supporting social and healthcare professionals in delivering more person-centred and culturally sensitive care. Tested with 276 participants, the course improved knowledge and was refined based on feedback.
A further key result is a free online course, already tested by over 150 participants, including students, professionals, and social workers. Its digital and asynchronous format ensures greater flexibility, accessibility, and ease of use, allowing participants to learn at their own pace and according to their own schedules. This approach supports the development of practical competences in delivering person-centred, culturally sensitive care, making learning more inclusive and adaptable to real-world needs.
The project also involved focus groups with more than 30 older migrants and caregivers and published two policy briefs for both stakeholders and policy makers at national and EU level: one outlining 6 main principles for inclusive care and another offering recommendations for replicating the training.