[Gerontophobia and medical education]

A literature survey showed that students in different medical professions, young nurses and young doctors, have difficulty in dealing with elderly patients. In medical teaching insufficient attention is paid to this age group which is one of the most important target groups in medical care. Possible educational goals and desirable changes in medical education are described. A certain selection of residents before accepting them for the training in those specialisms, where the care of the aged is extensive (family medicine, medicine in long stay institutions, internal medicine) seems necessary for the improvement of geriatric health care.