Geriatric Medicine

Geriatric medicine is the branch of internal medicine dealing with the medical management and care of older people. Geriatric medicine has become a major branch of medicine, because of the demographic shifts leading to increasing numbers of older people, associated with an increased prevalence of chronic illness. The world population of older people has been growing at the rate of 2.8% per year. All medical practitioners are finding that an increasing proportion of their patients are older and look to geriatricians for expert advice and opinion.

In Australia, and world wide, there are increasing numbers of specialist positions in geriatric medicine. At present we have 130 advanced trainees in geriatric medicine and at the end of their training, jobs will be waiting for them!

Geriatric medicine is very satisfying and rewarding. It combines intellectual challenge, good medicine and team work. It brings together acute and chronic care as well as hospital and ambulatory medicine. Rehabilitation is also a major focus. Opportunities for research and teaching are considerable.

Advantages of starting a career at TPCH

• Broad choice of core and elective terms
• Supportive consultant and peer groups
• A good place to start your research project – active research unit and mentors availalbe
• Plenty of formal and informal learning opportunities
• You will be welcomed as a valued team member

Training Overview

Entry requirements to Training Program

• General Registration
• Must pass Basic Physician Training (BPT) parts 1 and 2 prior to applying

Overview of Training Program

• Three (3) years of advanced training -24 months core units and 12 months elective units

What rotations are recommended prior to applying

• General Medicine
• Ortho-geriatrics
• Geriatrics

How to improve your chances of selection

• Research (Geriatric Medicine research available at TPCH)
• Recommended rotations as stated above
• Attend Advanced Trainee Geriatric Training sessions (these are statewide education sessions) – please contact Dr Pandy prior to attendance