From April 13 to April 17, 2026, Daugavpils University (DU) hosted an EU Erasmus+ programme activity – a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) titled “Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration in Elderly Healthcare” (BIP ID: 2024-1-LV01-KA131-HED-000204638-2).

The programme was organized by the Acting Head of the Department of Healthcare, Lecturer Liene Lukjaņenko, and the Director of the Professional Bachelor’s Study Programme “Physiotherapy,” Associate Professor Anna Rubika, in collaboration with project coordinator Inese Hodanova.

The programme was attended by 23 students from DU’s Erasmus+ partner higher education institutions:

• Tartu Health Care College (Estonia)
• Medical University of Sofia (Bulgaria)
• University of Economy (WSG) in Bydgoszcz (Poland)
• John Paul II University in Biala Podlaska (Poland)
• Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, Alytus Faculty (Lithuania)

Virtual and In-Person Learning

During the virtual component on April 9, 2026, students attended lectures by Dr. Marta Nalivaiko (Resident in Internal Medicine at Daugavpils Regional Hospital) on “The Role of a Multiprofessional Team in Senior Healthcare” and Assoc. Prof. Kadirhan Ozdemir (Physiotherapist, Izmir Bakirçay University) on “Age-Friendly Environments for Older Adults: A Physiotherapy Perspective.”

During the physical mobility at Daugavpils University, future specialists in “Nursing” and “Physiotherapy” participated in lectures, workshops, and study tours. Professor Dzintra Iliško (DU Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences) introduced students to the “Psychology of Seniors,” while psychotherapist Kamila Kuzmina (Daugavpils Psychoneurological Hospital) provided insights into “Features of Dementia Patient Care,” focusing on intellectual capacity testing and care specifics.

Practical Workshops and Masterclasses

Liene Lukjaņenko and Anna Rubika led a seminar on the “Specifics of Geriatric Patient Education,” where students role-played multidisciplinary team specialists. Further practical insights were provided by:

• Lija Gadžialijeva (Occupational Therapist): “Occupational Therapists’ Work with Seniors.”
• Jeļena Trifanova (Physiotherapist): “Physiotherapist’s Work with Seniors,” demonstrating physical activities for the elderly.
• Magdalena Ignatova (General Care Nurse): “Nursing in Senior Healthcare and Palliative Care.”
• Larisa Silova (Lecturer, DU Department of Sports): Led a Nordic walking masterclass together with Daugavpils seniors.

Study Visits to Healthcare Institutions

Participants visited Daugavpils Regional Hospital (DRS), Daugavpils Psychoneurological Hospital, and the Day Center “Saskarsme” to observe healthcare and social services in practice. At DRS, students visited the neurology and rehabilitation departments, noting the team’s coordinated approach to patient care. At the Psychoneurological Hospital, they visited the Rehabilitation Department, the Clay Studio, and the Family House Center for children with autism spectrum disorders, appreciating the broad-profile approach to healthcare.

Participants noted that the patient care system in Latvia is organized at a high level, emphasizing the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary approach and the professional engagement of the medical staff.

Significance of International Collaboration

Natālija Degtjarjova, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Health, emphasized that such international programmes play a vital role in the professional development of future specialists, allowing them to adopt best practices, broaden their horizons, and strengthen interdisciplinary cooperation.

Daugavpils University expresses its gratitude to Inta Vaivode and Arta Biruma (Daugavpils Regional Hospital), Sarmīte Ķikuste and Reinis Joksts (Daugavpils Psychoneurological Hospital), Marina Gerasimova (Social Service of Daugavpils), and Lilita Gadzāne (Day Center “Saskarsme”) for the opportunity to showcase the range of healthcare and social services available in Latvia.

Additional information about BIP can be found on the DU website.

Information prepared by:
Acting Head of the Department of Healthcare, Lecturer Liene Lukjaņenko
Director of the PBP “Physiotherapy,” Assoc. Prof. Anna Rubika
Project Coordinator Inese Hodanova
E-mail: erasmus@du.lv
Phone: +371 65421606