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For pioneers of tomorrow’s medical care

Once the problem of childhood mortality had been solved, old age arrived. Over half of all elderly people who have ever lived are alive today. Thanks to advances in medical care that address the cumulative damage sustained by the ageing body, death has been banished to old age.

However, the ageing process itself can be prevented if enough is invested in maintenance and repairs. In this way, the length and quality of our lives can be continually improved. We look forward to a future with more years lived in good health.

But despite our best efforts, life will still end with a period of poor health and disabilities. Care for the elderly is different from care for children and adults, as it involves the treatment of multiple concurrent conditions (multimorbidity). The result is both overtreatment and undertreatment.

The elderly require a different – more holistic – treatment strategy. Current academic and clinical practice is insufficiently equipped to translate this essential paradigm shift into action. In order to address this need, the Leyden Academy developed the ‘Vitality and Ageing’ medical master’s degree.

The medical master degree

The master programme focuses on the biological and social aspects of the ageing process (gerontology), as well as on the medical aspects of the care for elderly people (geriatrics). The organisation and management of the care process is also closely examined. Additionally, the degree programme leaves ample room for personal development – a requirement if one is to provide the highest quality of medical care in the future.

Such initiatives are notably absent from modern medical curricula, making this internationally accredited Master of Science degree unique. The master’s degree also offers a select few the opportunity to proceed to a doctorate programme.

Core characteristics of the medical master programme:

• High academic level
• Intensive educational programme
• Challenging international environment
• Holistic view of medicine
• Interdisciplinary approach
• Personal development 

          
Programme structure medical master
The Vitality and Ageing medical master’s degree is an intensive programme that goes beyond attending lectures and participating in work groups. Students are expected to do more than merely absorb facts. The intensive, international nature of the programme means that personal development also occurs outside of lecture halls.

The programme lasts one academic year and is divided into three thematic semesters:

• Gerontology
• Geriatrics
• Healthcare structure

Basic skills including academic development, management and leadership are constant threads running through the curriculum.

Because cooperation and communication are crucial skills, the master’s degree pays special attention to personal development. Written and verbal communication, teamwork and presenting/debating are given particular attention. Personalised tutoring has been developed with this goal
in mind.

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