Facilitating intergenerational learning between older people and student nurses: An integrative review

Dympna Tuohy; Irene Cassidy; Margaret Graham; Jane McCarthy; Jill Murphy; Jacinta Shanahan; Teresa Tuohy

doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103746

Facilitating intergenerational learning between older people and student nurses: An integrative review

Nurse Educ Pract. 2023 Oct:72:103746. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103746. Epub 2023 Aug 17.

Authors

Dympna Tuohy¹, Irene Cassidy², Margaret Graham³, Jane McCarthy³, Jill Murphy³, Jacinta Shanahan⁴, Teresa Tuohy³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Health Research Institute, Ageing Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland. Electronic address: dympna.tuohy@ul.ie.
² Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Health Research Institute, Ageing Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland.
³ Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland.
⁴ University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland.

PMID: 37625363
DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103746

Abstract

Aim: To examine the literature on intergenerational learning between older people and student nurses.

Background: Intergenerational activities offer opportunities for intergenerational learning and help reduce ageism. There are several older person/school children intergenerational learning initiatives. However, there is less known about how intergenerational learning occurs in nurse education programmes outside of service provision.

Methods: Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) integrative review framework was used to guide the review process. Population, intervention, context and outcome (PICO) was used to develop the review question, search strategy and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Database (CINAHL, Cochrane library, Medline, PubMed, Scopus and PsychInfo) searches and hand searching occurred from 2012 to 2023. Screening, appraisal and data extraction was undertaken according to Prisma guidelines.

Results: Nine papers were included (North American (n = 5), Canadian (n = 1) Chinese (n = 2), Taiwanese (n = 1)). Mixed methods designs were included. Four themes were identified: 1) Seeing beyond first glance; 2) Connecting and getting to know each other; 3) Learning together; and 4) Challenges for intergenerational learning.

Conclusion: This review demonstrates the relevance of intergenerational learning in nurse education and highlights the importance of embedding initiatives which will promote and support mutual learning. Innovative intergenerational initiatives enable students to explore their underlying attitudes and views in a way that they may not be able to in the more traditional service and care giving learning situations.

Keywords: Discussion café; Education; Intergenerational learning; Older people; Online; Student nurse.

Publication types

Review