Clinical Research Directory

Environmental Sustainability-Focused Service-Learning for Nursing Students

This randomized controlled trial evaluates whether completing a service-learning project with an environmental sustainability-focused non-governmental organization (NGO) improves sustainable consumption behaviors and sustainability attitudes among nursing students, compared with completing the same service-learning process with NGOs working in health and social fields. Fourth-year undergraduate nursing students enrolled in the Community Awareness Project Course at Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University (Istanbul, Türkiye) in the 2026-2027 academic year are randomly allocated to NGOs. All students follow the same 14-week structured service-learning process; the only difference between the groups is the field of activity of the NGO. Outcomes are measured at baseline, at the end of the semester (Week 14), and 10 weeks after the end of the intervention.

A Service-Learning Program for Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Health Promotion in Older Adults

The GEROS Project aims to develop and implement a Service-Learning (S-L) program that integrates Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and health promotion, for students at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Welfare at the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC). This initiative engages university students, healthcare professionals, and older adults (60+) in a participatory, intergenerational approach that fosters mutual learning and community engagement. The study follows a non-experimental mixed-method design, involving students from Nursing, Physiotherapy, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, and Psychology. Participants include older adults (60+) who can independently travel to the university. The project is integrated into different subjects, in groups of 4-5 students, participants conduct a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), evaluating frailty using VIG-Frail, intrinsic capacity with ICOPE, quality of life with EUROQOL 5D-5L, and specific health indicators with Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC). To assess the program's effectiveness, several outcome measures will be analyzed including students' perceived knowledge, competencies, and skills, as well as older adults' awareness of their health status, lifestyle, and risk factors. Additionally, the satisfaction levels of both will be evaluated. The items will be evaluated using a 1-5 Likert Scale, and the analysis will be conducted with SPSS. Data recording will be carried out through REDCap. The GEROS Project aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). By offering care to the aging population and providing them with personalized health recommendations, the project promotes preventive strategies, active aging, and intergenerational learning. Furthermore, GEROS integrates innovative educational methodologies, encouraging experiential learning, collaboration with healthcare professionals, and the development of practical skills in real-world contexts. The program's scalability and adaptability could serve as a model for other universities and healthcare institutions aiming to enhance geriatric care through service-learning initiatives.