Introduction:

Communication skills (CS) are indispensable competencies for any healthcare professional as such skills lead to greater patient compliance, understanding, and overall satisfaction. The constant aging of the Brazilian population increasingly results in the presence of the older people in the healthcare system. This has led medical schools to think about a reformulation of their curricular components within the scope of CS, since this subject still presents gaps. In this context, intergenerational programs play a valuable role in the development of CS by allowing interaction between different generations.

Objective:

To investigate the perspectives of health students about their participation in an intergenerational program in the city of Paulo Afonso/BA entitled “[Tec-Idoso]: utilização de tecnologia como ferramenta de inclusão digital e de apoio psicossocial ao idoso” [Tec-Idoso: use of technology as a tool for digital including and psychosocial support for the elderly], linked to the Federal University of Vale of São Francisco (UNIVASF).

Method:

This is an exploratory qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews, using the data analysis method.

Results:

The following thematic categories were defined: intergenerational contact, perception and stigma about old age, CS, impact on academic performance and impact on future professional practices.

Conclusion:

Given the above, the results obtained from this research include improved academic performance and social interaction through the development of CS, change of paradigms facing aging, and preparation for handling personal and professional life situation with more confidence.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )