Education in geriatrics in physical medicine residency training programs

The number of aged persons in the United States is rising steadily. Rehabilitation medicine is becoming increasingly involved in providing the care necessary to keep aging individuals in good health so that the onset of late life disability can be delayed and social independence be maintained for as long as possible. For this reason, education in geriatric rehabilitation must become an essential part of training programs for residents in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The curriculum of these programs must be broad based and must include many of the general aspects of geriatric medicine even though they may relate only peripherally to rehabilitation. One faculty member should be charged with the responsibility of organizing the educational program. He should maintain liaison with faculty members of other departments who have expertise in the problems of the aging. Some of the teaching can be done by lectures and seminars but much of it should be carried out in clinical settings such as in-patient facilities, out-patient departments, home health services and day-care programs. Nursing homes might offer suitable training facilities provided that adequate supervision and teaching are available. Every effort should be made to overcome prejudices that may exist with regard to the care and rehabilitation of a geriatric population.