Geriatric Medicine is the branch of medicine that focuses on health care of older people. It aims to promote health and to prevent and treat diseases and disabilities in older adults.
Overview
A trainee in geriatric medicine should develop expertise the clinical, rehabilitative, preventive, and social aspects of illness in the older adult. Specific expertise should be gained in the comprehensive assessment and management of older people with acute and chronic illness in a wide variety of clinical settings – in hospital, at the out patients department, in an ambulatory care setting, in continuing long term care and in the patient's own home.
This group of highly trained and experienced geriatricians are experts at managing the complex care of older adults, and they work closely with other physician specialists to achieve the best results for each patient.
Our geriatricians act as liaisons between patients and their loved ones, their medical teams, and their nursing homes or senior living communities. They keep everybody in the loop concerning treatment plans, day-to- day progress, and any necessary follow-up arrangements.
Training in geriatric medicine is completed in
two stages:
- Basic Specialist Training in General Internal Medicine (or an equivalent programme) - Two years
- Higher Specialist Training in Geriatric Medicine - Five years
Higher Specialist Training (HST)
Requirements
You must have completed Basic Specialist Training in the relevant specialty (or an equivalent programme) by the start date for HST. Please note that not all BST programmes offer consideration of equivalence.
You must have achieved a relevant postgraduate qualification such as MRCPI in General Medicine, General Paediatrics or Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Please note: we have reverted to the previous regulations regarding the examination which were in place before COVID-19. That is, all HST candidates must have successfully passed their MRCPI Clinical Examination relevant to their speciality before their HST interview date. There are no exceptions to this
requirement.
You must be currently or previously registered on one of the divisions of the Irish Medical Council, or provide proof of eligibility for registration.
You must have proof of competency in the English language in line with HSE specifications.
You must have demonstrated an aptitude for, and an interest in, that specialty.