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Development of geriatrics-oriented faculty in general internal medicine
Craig D Rubin1, Heather Stieglitz, Belinda Vicioso
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75390-8889, USA. craig.rubin@utsouthwestern.edu
Annals of Internal Medicine
|October 8, 2003
Summary
Academic general internists are crucial for geriatric medicine education due to a shortage of geriatricians. Developing faculty requires addressing time, resource, and attitudinal barriers to improve care for older adults.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Geriatric Medicine
- Internal Medicine Faculty Development
Background:
- The physician workforce requires adequate geriatrics training, a need recognized for decades.
- A persistent shortage of academic geriatricians limits educational capacity for trainees.
- General internists frequently educate medical students and residents on geriatric care, highlighting their potential role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess current practices and identify "best practices" in developing geriatrics-oriented general internal medicine faculty.
- To understand the goals, targets, and barriers associated with faculty development in geriatrics within general internal medicine.
- To inform strategies for enhancing geriatric training capacity within academic general internal medicine.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of faculty development programs in general internal medicine.
- Focus groups and structured interviews with general internal medicine unit chiefs.
- Data collection from directors of Geriatric Centers of Excellence at 46 U.S. medical schools.
Main Results:
- A significant need exists for structured programs to develop geriatrics-oriented academic general internists.
- General internal medicine faculty express receptiveness to enhanced geriatrics training.
- Key barriers identified include inadequate time and resources, alongside motivational and attitudinal challenges.
Conclusions:
- Targeted faculty development programs are essential to meet the educational needs in geriatric medicine.
- Overcoming identified barriers is crucial for successful implementation of geriatrics training initiatives.
- Addressing these challenges will enhance the capacity of general internists to provide expert care for older adults.
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