Geriatric medicine: a statement from the Federated Council for Internal Medicine

The body of knowledge pertinent to the care of the elderly lies largely within internal medicine and its subspecialties. A growing number of elderly persons have great need for medical and social services. The Federated Council for Internal Medicine (FCIM) recommends increased emphasis on geriatric medicine in the medical school curriculum, the medical residency, and continuing medical education; new affiliations of medical schools with geriatric care institutions; and the development of postresidency advanced training in geriatric medicine, aimed primarily at creating teacher-scientists, but also preparing for a consultant role. The FCIM opposes the creation of separate medical school departments and favors inclusion of an administrative mechanism for geriatrics within the department of medicine, preferably linked to the division or section of general internal medicine. The FCIM encourages the American Board of Internal Medicine to continue to explore forms of recognition of advanced training and particular competence in geriatric medicine but opposes the creation of a separate certifying board for geriatrics.