Career plans of student physical therapists regarding geriatric medicine

Questionnaires designed to evaluate experience in geriatric medicine and attitudes towards a career with a geriatric service were set to final-year students of eight schools of physical therapy. An analysis of replies indicates that many students are not sufficiently involved in the care of the elderly or with the practice of modern geriatric medicine. The majority of students preferred a career which involved both elderly and younger patients and work in geriatric rehabilitation wards and day hospitals.