[Geriatrics in the new program for initial postgraduate medical training in Japan]

Until 1993, initial postgraduate medical training in Japan was conducted only at university hospitals or other teaching hospitals. In 1994, the number of types of training sites was expanded to include health centers, nursing homes, and extended care facilities, which gave trainees chances to understand primary medical care in various settings, providing in-home as well as other non-hospital medical services. Since the new program seemed to increase training opportunities in geriatric medicine, questionnaires regarding the new program were sent by mail to all teaching hospitals in Japan (261); 213 responded. The results showed that 29 hospitals already had a program of care for the aged. The teaching sections were mainly internal medicine, psychiatry and rehabilitation medicine. Fifty hospital had plans to include care for the aged in their program in the near future. The number of programs that includes training in care for the aged is gradually increasing. It is hoped that during their initial postgraduate training many young doctors will come to recognize the importance of geriatric medicine.