Teaching geriatric medicine to medical students--a summary

Within the wide range of topics embraced in the subject of geriatric medicine, a division may be made as far as teaching is concerned into: 1. those that could be taught by other people; 2. those that should be taught by other people; 3. those that cannot be taught by other people. If attitudes throughout the medical school were appropriately positive then only group 3 need be taught by geriatricians. However, as things are, they must participate in teaching in all groups and the conference has successfully indicated ways in which this may be done. It has also stressed the importance of developing positive attitudes towards ageing and old age among teachers as well as students, as a major part of education.