Why geriatrics

Why Geriatrics? What is a Geriatrician… In addition to promoting the functional status, independence and well-being of older adults, geriatricians are uniquely known for collaborating with interprofessional teams including nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, social workers, and many others who work together to coordinate complex care for older adults and their caregivers.

Alan Dengiz, retired faculty member, discusses his decision to pursue a career in Geriatrics. Source: Leipzig RM, e. Treating the very old, we do deal with end-of-life issues regularly. Most geriatric medicine is carried out within the hospital setting. The traditional location would be a ward dedicated to geriatric medicine, with dedicated outpatient clinics.

Community roles exist which involve working in clinics in community settings, meeting patients in their own homes, and visiting care homes to review patients. Spend some time with your local geriatrics team. Speak to lots of people in the speciality most people working in the speciality are very friendly. There are resources available on the internet. The BGS also publishes a blog related to different aspects of geriatrics which may give more of a flavour of current issues within the speciality and a sense of whether it may be the right speciality for you.

Home Resources Resources menu position rule. A Career in Geriatric Medicine. Fact sheet. Our fact sheets help you find resources beyond the British Geriatrics Society website. Date Published:. About Geriatric Medicine Providing healthcare to older adults is often extremely challenging. The attractions of Geriatric Medicine Geriatrics provides variety and challenge whilst being fun and rewarding Geriatric medicine is a combination of general and specialist practice It is practised in varied work settings, in hospital and the community, and has substantial scope for sub-specialisation There are many opportunities for research and teaching It incorporates collaboration with other specialties It involves teamwork with other healthcare professionals It requires collaboration with social services and private and voluntary sectors It has good career prospects, and geriatricians work in every acute trust in the UK.

There is likely to be a job for you, wherever you want it There are opportunities for less than full time work It provides real rewards of making a difference to the patient and their family where others may have given up. What is the required mix of skills for geriatric medicine? Do you work closely with other specialities? Do you work closely with other healthcare colleagues or groups? What are the possibilities for your future career progression? What are your typical working hours? How much annual leave do you get?

Are there opportunities for travel? Are there opportunities for teaching or lecturing? Are there opportunities for research? What are the best aspects of working in geriatric medicine?

What are the main challenges of working in the specialty? What are the common misconceptions about working in geriatric medicine? Is there a typical location for working in your specialty? What advice would you give to someone considering a career in geriatric medicine? Feedback on this resource? Test your knowledge. Which of the following is the most common age-related barrier to intimacy?

More Content. Introduction to Geriatrics By Richard W. Click here for Patient Education. Mistake pure aging for disease eg, slow information retrieval is not dementia. Ignore the increased risk of adverse drug effects on weak-link systems stressed by illness.

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