Updated Geriatrics Competencies for Graduating Medical Students: Training Physicians to Provide Age-Friendly Care.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Geriatrics
• Public Health

Background:

• The aging US population necessitates enhanced geriatric medical education for all physicians.
• Fewer than 7,000 geriatricians exist, while older adults constitute 20% of the US population.
• Unique healthcare needs of older adults require specialized training for medical students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present updated geriatrics competencies for graduating medical students.
• To frame these competencies around the Geriatrics 5Ms: Mind, Mobility, Medications, Multicomplexity, and What Matters Most.
• To ensure medical students are prepared for age-friendly care upon entering internship.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi approach was used by an American Geriatrics Society (AGS) working group from 2019-2022.
• Literature review, initial surveys, and refinement of proposed competencies were conducted.
• A national survey of geriatrics experts and medical school deans, followed by public comment, finalized the 27 competencies.

Main Results:

• Twenty-seven updated geriatrics competencies were established, including new areas like health equity, frailty, deprescribing, and patient priorities.
• A national survey achieved a 47.0% response rate from geriatrics experts and 12.6% from education deans.
• All 27 competencies met the agreement threshold, with over 70% cumulative agreement from both expert groups.

Conclusions:

• The updated Geriatrics Competencies for Graduating Medical Students received broad consensus from experts and deans.
• The competencies, structured around the Geriatrics 5Ms, define essential knowledge and skills for new physicians.
• These updated competencies aim to equip graduating medical students to provide effective age-friendly care.