Geriatrician

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Geriatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of older adults. Geriatricians are board-certified internists or family physicians who have additional training and certification in geriatrics.

Overview[edit | edit source]

A geriatrician is a physician who has completed a residency in either Internal Medicine or Family Medicine with additional training in Geriatrics. This additional training provides the geriatrician with specialized knowledge of the aging process and skills to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases in older adults.

Role of a Geriatrician[edit | edit source]

Geriatricians often serve as the primary care physician for older adults who have complex medical and social problems. They coordinate the care of their patients and manage multiple disease conditions. They are skilled in providing palliative care and end-of-life care. They also work closely with other healthcare professionals such as nurses, social workers, and pharmacists to provide a comprehensive approach to the healthcare of older adults.

Training and Certification[edit | edit source]

After completing a residency in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine, a physician may choose to subspecialize in Geriatrics. This requires an additional one to two years of fellowship training in Geriatrics. After completing this training, the physician is eligible to take the board certification examination in Geriatrics.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Geriatrician Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD