What Is a Geriatric Doctor?
Geriatric doctors, also called geriatricians, are healthcare professionals who specialize in the care of elderly patients. They are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of medical conditions that commonly affect older adults.
Qualifications
Geriatricians must complete four years of medical school and three years of residency training in internal medicine or family medicine. They must also complete a two-year fellowship in geriatric medicine. Some geriatricians also choose to pursue additional training in subspecialty areas such as cardiology, oncology, or neurology.
Scope of Practice
Geriatricians provide comprehensive care to older adults, including:
* Preventive care: Geriatricians help older adults stay healthy by providing routine screenings, immunizations, and health counseling.
* Diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses: Geriatricians diagnose and treat acute illnesses such as pneumonia, influenza, and urinary tract infections.
* Management of chronic conditions: Geriatricians help older adults manage chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.
* Palliative care: Geriatricians provide palliative care to older adults who are facing a life-limiting illness.
* End-of-life care: Geriatricians provide end-of-life care to older adults and their families.
Geriatricians work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, social workers, and pharmacists, to ensure that older adults receive the best possible care.
Outlook
The demand for geriatricians is expected to grow in the coming years. The population of older adults is growing, and the incidence of chronic diseases among older adults is also increasing. Geriatricians are needed to provide care to this growing population.
If you are interested in a career in geriatric medicine, there are many opportunities available. You can find more information about geriatric medicine programs at the American Geriatrics Society website.