CONTINUING POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION IN GERIATRICS *

A bstract : At present the medical student's education in geriatrics is left chiefly to the postgraduate period. There are encouraging signs, however, that medical students are being made more aware of the relationship of aging and chronic disease to the understanding of medicine in general. In the postgraduate period, when physicians are supposed to keep up to date by means of continuing education, there are very few opportunities in the field of geriatrics. Moreover, such programs often are not properly coordinated and monitored. Attempts are being made to rectify this situation. Single individuals or professional societies are weak alone, but can be strong when united in establishing training programs in geriatrics. The American Geriatrics Society and the Gerontological Society should be in the forefront. They should either develop a specific program of their own or should cooperate with the American Academy of General Practice and the American Medical Association in formulating courses that include geriatrics. These programs would undoubtedly lead to institutional postdoctoral education in the subject, and eventually would involve medical students. Meanwhile, all such efforts would improve the care of the aged and infirm.