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Medical Officers' Careers Guide: Geriatric Medicine

Specialty

Description

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.

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 for training

  • 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

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

College

TPCH has current College accreditation for nine (9) advanced training positions

FAQs

These questions will vary from Program to Program as thought to be most relevant. If you have any suggestions as to how the information on this site can be improved, please comment.  

Workforce Projections

Training opportunities are growing, In 2015, there were 33 advanced training positions in Queensland.

Contact Us

Medical Education Unit
Email:   TPCH-Medical-Education@health.qld.gov.au
Phone: 3139 4221

Vocational Training Information:

Dr Shaun Pandy
Coordinator of Geriatric Medicine Advanced Training

Dr Lucy Dakin
Director of Rehabilitation & Sub Acute

Reviewed: March 2018