Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Diploma in Geriatrics and Gerontology is a postgraduate program designed to provide professionals in the health sector with a multidisciplinary vision to address the challenges posed by the population aged 60 and over.

Objectives

The program aims to prepare professionals with the theoretical and methodological tools necessary to propose and implement viable solutions for the care of older adults. The objectives include:

• Preparing professionals with a multidisciplinary vision to address the challenges of caring for older adults.
• Providing the theoretical and methodological elements necessary for the integral evaluation and care of older adults.
• Enabling students to critically analyze specialized literature and identify research problems in the context of older adult care.

Program Structure

The program consists of seven modules, each focusing on a different aspect of geriatrics and gerontology:

Module I: Introduction to Geriatric and Gerontological Contents

• Presentation of the diploma program
• Concept of health in older adults and the aging process in Chile
• Introduction to social gerontology
• Social impact of aging
• Discrimination against older adults

Module II: Geriatric Epidemiology

• Basic demographics
• Epidemiology of aging: conceptual bases, natural history of disease, and levels of prevention
• Indicators of disease burden and frequency in older adults
• Types of epidemiological studies
• Screening and diagnostic tests

Module III: Clinical and Biological Aspects of Aging

• Nutrition in older adults
• Changes in body composition in older adults: obesity, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and osteosarcopenia
• Oral health in older adults

Module IV: Functionality and Geriatric Syndromes

• Autonomy and independence in older adults
• Fragility
• Falls in older adults
• Dependence
• Incontinence in older adults
• Aging, chronic respiratory problems, and acute epidemic diseases

Module V: Mental Health

• Mental health in older adults
• Depression and anxiety: clinical approach
• Cognitive decline and dementia
• Sleep in older adults

Module VI: Quality of Life in Older Adults

• Quality of life and subjective well-being in older adults
• Sexuality in older adults
• Education for self-care
• Aging and its relationship with the environment

Module VII: Health Care for Older Adults

• Comprehensive care for older adults and evaluation of older adults in Primary Health Care (PHC)
• Digital health: concepts and fundamentals
• Bedridden patients and caregivers
• Palliative care in geriatrics
• Explicit Health Guarantees (GES)

Evaluation

The program includes seven tests, one at the end of each module. The final grade will be the average of these seven evaluations. Students with a final average between 3.0 and 3.9 can take an additional test covering all modules.

Duration and Credits

• Duration: 8 months
• Total hours: 400 hours
• Credits: 15 credits

Start and End Dates

• Start date: March 7, 2026
• End date: December 11, 2026

Minimum Number of Students

The program requires a minimum of 10 students to proceed.

Tuition Fee

• The normal price of the program is $1,500,000 CLP (approximately $1,719.75 USD).
• Discounts are available for various groups, including public and private institution employees, alumni, and those paying in advance.

Target Audience

This diploma is aimed at health professionals (with 8 semesters or more of university education) from public or private universities who wish to acquire a multidisciplinary and integrated vision of geriatrics and gerontology to solve the problems of the aging population.

Faculty

The program is taught by a team of experienced professionals, including:

• Cecilia Albala B.
• Daniel Bunout B.
• Gerardo Fasce P.
• Mario Ociel Moya
• Patricio Peirano C.
• Mois廥 Sandoval
• Fernando V甐
• Felipe Salech And guest lecturers:
• Soraya Le鏮
• Graciela Rojas
• Patricio Fuentes
• Ximena Cea-Nettig
• Jhonny Acevedo

Certification

Upon completion, students will receive a Diploma in Geriatrics and Gerontology from the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA) of the University of Chile.

Requirements

• Copy of professional university title or academic degree
• Copy of identity card or passport

Payment Methods

• Cash (bank transfer, deposit, or check)
• Credit card
• Institutional agreements

Discounts

Available discounts include:

• Cash payment: 10% discount
• Advance payment: 15% discount (before one month of program start)
• University of Chile employees and academics: 30% and 20% for their children
• Alumni of University of Chile diplomas, master's, and doctoral programs: 15%
• Public and municipal employees: 20%
• Professional colleges and other agreements with scientific societies: 15%
• Institutions: 5 students 1 free (25% discount)