Who Should Be the Cardiogeriatrician? A Competency-Based Perspective for an Ageing Cardiovascular Population

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Geriatrics
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Population aging presents unique challenges in cardiovascular medicine, particularly for older adults with frailty and multimorbidity.
• Traditional disease-centered models are insufficient for managing complex cardiovascular conditions in the elderly.
• Older adults often have competing priorities that complicate standard treatment approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define the essential competencies for cardiogeriatric care providers.
• To explore who should fulfill the role of a cardiogeriatrician from a skills-based perspective.
• To adapt cardiovascular care models for frail older adults.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of literature from PubMed/MEDLINE was conducted.
• The review integrated research from cardiology, geriatrics, and health services.
• Included were guidelines, consensus statements, observational studies, and conceptual frameworks.

Main Results:

• Current cardiogeriatric care models are often role-dependent, not competency-focused.
• A competency framework highlights the need for frailty-informed interpretation and goal-concordant decision-making.
• Cardiogeriatric expertise can be held by various professionals, including geriatricians with specialized cardiovascular practice.

Conclusions:

• A competency-based framework is crucial for effective cardiogeriatric care.
• This approach facilitates collaborative, proportionate, and patient-centered cardiovascular care for aging populations.
• Defining competencies, rather than professional roles, enhances care delivery without altering professional boundaries.