Curriculum Dementia Edu is structured around three comprehensive modules designed to enhance learners’ knowledge and skills in promoting brain health and managing cognitive decline. Since the curriculum is delivered online, it allows students the flexibility to complete the modules at their convenience, fitting them into their existing schedules without conflict with other coursework. 3 Modules 100 % Online IPE Approach An Interprofessional Approach Interprofessional education (IPE) is an integral part of health professions training, fostering collaboration across disciplines and reflecting best practices endorsed by leading accrediting bodies — including AACN, AAMC, and CSWE. The IPE foundation of this curriculum is moderated by Veronica Young, Director of the UT Center for Health Interprofessional Practice and Education, whose expert leadership ensures a rigorous, team-based learning experience woven throughout every module. Module 1 Brain Health Fundamentals Module 1 focuses on the fundamentals of brain health, emphasizing risk reduction strategies and the biological, psychosocial, and social determinants influencing cognitive function.Learn More > This module provides education about brain health as a comprehensive, lifelong approach to maintaining cognitive function and reducing dementia risk, with an emphasis on interprofessional collaboration. Module 2 Detection & Treatment Module 2 centers on the early detection and management of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), equipping learners with the ability to identify various types of dementia, recognize early warning signs, and apply screening, assessment, and treatment techniques.Learn More > To bridge theory and practice, the module features two 10-minute role plays that guide learners through real-world scenarios — a care plan meeting and a family meeting — building the communication and collaborative skills essential for navigating these critical conversations with confidence. Module 3 Biomarkers in ADRD Module 3 examines how advances in biomarker science are transforming the detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias — often years before symptoms emerge.Learn More > The module surveys the landscape of established and emerging biomarkers in ADRD, from amyloid-beta and tau proteins to blood-based markers such as plasma p-tau217, highlighting how these tools are expanding accessibility and precision across both clinical practice and research settings. Learners will also explore how biomarker findings inform coordinated, interprofessional care — equipping diverse care teams to collaborate effectively in translating diagnostic insights into timely, patient-centered treatment planning. What’s in each module? Learning Through Real Stories Meet Mr. Martinez and Ms. Stein — two animated case studies that place learners at the center of real-world dementia care scenarios. These discipline-specific animations are thoughtfully designed to help health professional students understand their unique role within a collaborative care team, illustrating how nurses, social workers, physicians, pharmacists, and other providers each contribute to compassionate, coordinated care. Going beyond the animated cases, the curriculum also features pre-recorded role plays of two critical clinical encounters: a care team planning meeting and a family meeting. These immersive scenarios give students the opportunity to observe best practices in action — from navigating complex team dynamics to communicating sensitively with patients living with dementia and their families. Together, these experiential learning tools bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world interprofessional practice. Brain Health & Dementia Care Microbadge Learners who complete the online modules and participate in a case study workshop are eligible to earn a micro credential. Learn About The Microbadge Curriculum Pilot Evaluation Report The Curriculum Pilot Evaluation Report found that the interprofessional dementia care curriculum improved participant knowledge, confidence, and collaborative care skills. Download The Full Report (PDF)
