Innovations in dementia education in health sciences: curriculum design and partnerships across three countries.

Abstract

As dementia prevalence rises globally, health sciences education must evolve to prepare future professionals across disciplines to provide person-centered care. This brief report provides a descriptive summary of dementia education initiatives presented during a 2025 Universitas 21 Health Sciences Group plenary session, showcasing innovations across institutions in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. Themes included integration of dementia content into problem-based learning (PBL), experiential learning in long-term care settings, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI)-based simulation, interdisciplinary curriculum modules, and digital learning innovations for both professional and public education. The plenary emphasized the importance of community and clinical partnerships, immersive simulation, and digital tools in fostering student engagement, empathy, and clinical competence. Collectively, these initiatives illustrate diverse, scalable approaches to embedding dementia education into health sciences curricula. Although not intended as a systematic or scoping review of dementia education programs, this descriptive summary highlights potentially transferable approaches that may inform adaptations in diverse educational settings.