[Models of gerontologic/geriatric education in West Germany and West European countries]

In the years 1978-1983, a total of 2200 students came into contact with Gerontology/Geriatrics in the course of their university education in the Federal Republic of Germany. The largest group is that of students in the field of Social Work/Pedagogy/Adult Education. The number of students of medicine who come into contact with Geriatrics/Gerontology is minimal as yet. Concepts of education have been furthest developed by the WHO. These concepts take into consideration the interdisciplinary character of the discipline and the necessity of a broad foundation of knowledge applied by the practicing geriatrician. However, only very few universities follow along these lines. As far as geriatrics is encompassed into the curricula of medicine, the teaching follows the concept of examplary learning, with due attention paid to the interdisciplinary character of the subject. Teaching primarily aims at sensitising the student. The most encompassing curricula in social gerontology are offered by the University of Nijmegen in its courses of Psychological Gerontology. In general, the subject tends to be treated at random and by no means systematically. Gerontological courses in the field of Social Work follow the concept of exemplary learning. It is in this field that the first broad post-graduate training is offered. Courses bearing the character of a studium generale are experimented with. In part, they address themselves to older students and practicing physicians as well as to other professions engaged in practical work for the elderly. The gerontologist/geriatrician with all-encompassing knowledge will not come into being. What can be aimed at is a specialist in his own field and right, equipped with qualified general knowledge in Gerontology/Geriatrics.