Program Overview

Master's Courses in Dementia Care for Physicians

The Master's Courses in Dementia Care for Physicians is a 60-credit program designed to provide comprehensive education in dementia care.

Program Overview

The program covers various phases of dementia, including dementia screening, diagnosis, management of behavioral and psychotic symptoms of dementia (BPSD), terminal care, and supporting families. Practical exercises and patient cases are provided from the viewpoint of daily practice as a physician.

Course Structure

The course is provided through a web format, allowing distance education and flexible access to course materials. The online library at Karolinska Institutet is also accessible, offering a vast collection of scientific journals.

International Network

The program provides an international network of physicians working in dementia healthcare. Classmates review each other's course reports, making learning more interactive and insightful. Participants have opportunities to learn from each other's specialist works and knowledge.

Program Benefits

• Systematic and comprehensive education in dementia care
• Practical exercises and patient cases from daily practice as a physician
• Access to an international network of physicians working in dementia healthcare
• Flexible web format for distance education
• Access to the online library at Karolinska Institutet

Alumni Experience

Junichiro Toya, a graduate of the program, found the education to be highly useful in his profession as a family practitioner. He learned about dementia care systematically and comprehensively, which enabled him to reflect on his clinical practice and rethink what he could do best for his patients. The program also inspired him to create an education system for dementia care for family physicians in Japan.

Challenges in Dementia Care

Japan is rapidly becoming a super-aging society, and the government is promoting a shift from hospital-centered to community-based healthcare. However, there is a lack of education in dementia care for primary care physicians, community nurses, professional caregivers, and staff at care facilities. The program addresses these challenges by providing comprehensive education and an international network of physicians working in dementia healthcare.