Care of the elderly training: Implications for family medicine

To examine the practice patterns and clinical and academic roles of family physicians who have care of the elderly training.

Cross-sectional survey.

Family medicine practices or specialized geriatric services programs.

Fifty-two family physicians, surveyed in 2005 and 2006, identified as having 6 or 12 months' care of the elderly training.

Self-reported practice type and description of clinical and academic roles.

Surveys were sent to 103 physicians; the response rate was 50.5% (N = 52). Respondents were relatively young, with a mean age of 42 years. Slightly more respondents had completed 6 months of training than had completed a full year of training (54.9% vs 45.1%). More than half (55.8%) described their medical practice areas as "general family medicine." The remainder worked in "restricted practices" (25.0%) or provided "specialist care" (17.3%); 1 physician was no longer practising medicine. Many provided some care within specialized geriatric service areas, most commonly in-hospital consultation and rehabilitation. More than half (51.9%) provided active hospital care, and a substantial number worked in long-term care facilities as physicians or medical directors. More than 20% provided newborn care, although only a small percentage (7.7%) performed obstetric services. Respondents were actively involved in teaching and other academic activities, including resident supervision.

Care of the elderly physicians provide comprehensive family medicine services, but also often provide care in other areas currently facing physician shortages. Care of the elderly physicians play relevant clinical and academic roles in both family medicine training and specialized geriatric services.