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Publications

Journal Article Ppublish

PubMed: 41984890 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afag092

Mapping the landscape of geriatric medicine education, training and practice in Europe.

Age Ageing 55(4)

Authors: Anna Marie Herghelegiu, Karolina Piotrowicz, Anne Wissendorff Ekdahl, Tahir Masud, Mirko Petrovic, Athanase Benetos, Sofia Duque, Matteo Cesari, Giulia Ogliari, Jurate Macijauskiene, Gabriel Ioan Prada, Mohamed Salem, Ana Gabriela Prada, Marina Kotsani

Affiliations

  • "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bulevardul Eroii Sanitari Nr. 8, Sector 5, 050471, Bucharest, Romania; "Saint Luke" Hospital of Chronic Diseases, Sos. Berceni nr.12, cod 041915, Sector 4, Bucharest, Romania.
  • Jagiellonian University in Kraków Medical College, Department of Internal Medicine and Gerontology, Jakubowskiego 2, Kraków 31-008, Malopolska, Poland.
  • Section of Geriatrics, Helsingborg Hospital, Södra Vallgatan 5, 251 87 Helsingborg, Sweden; Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, BMC I12, Sölvegatan 19, 221 84 Lund, Sweden.
  • Department of Geriatric Medicine, Nottingham University Hospitals, NHS Trust Nottingham, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, United Kingdom.
  • Section of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
  • Université de Lorraine; CHRU Nancy - Pôle "Maladies du Vieillissement, Gérontologie et Soins Palliatifs", Rue du Morvan, 54511 VandÅ“uvre-lès-Nancy, France; INSERM - Défaillance Cardio-Vasculaire Aiguë et Chronique, Bâtiment D, Campus Brabois-Santé 9 Avenue de la Forêt de Haye, BP 20199 54505 VandÅ“uvre-lès-Nancy, France.
  • Hospital CUF Descobertas, Rua Mário Botas, Parque das Nações, 1998-018 Lisbon, Portugal; Preventive Medicine and Public Health Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Ageing and Health Unit, Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, WHO, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Leicestershire, Leicestershire County Council, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8RA, United Kingdom.
  • Department of Geriatrics, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Josvainių g. 2, LT-47144 Kaunas, Lithuania.
  • Active Ageing and Community Care Unit (AACC), Ministry of Health and Active Ageing, Palazzo Castellania, 15, Merchants Street, Valletta, VLT 1171, Malta.
  • Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Ageing, 9 Spetsón Street, Agia Paraskevi, 15342, Athens, Greece.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Geriatric Medicine (GM) has evolved in Europe over the past few decades, although variably across countries. The aim of this paper is to explore the GM specialty status, postgraduate and undergraduate education for medical students, nurses and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), academic development and GM clinical services in Europe.

METHODS

We collected cross-sectional data from 38 European countries as listed by the World Health Organization with an online quantitative survey. This study is part of the PROGRAMMING COST Action, which stands for PROmoting GeRiAtric Medicine in countries where it is still eMergING and is funded by the European Cooperation for Science and Technology.

RESULTS

GM is recognised as a distinct specialty in 24 countries (63.15%), while specialty training is available in 21 countries (55.26%). Principles of GM are included in the undergraduate curricula for medical students in all or most medical universities in 24 countries (63.15%), for nurses in 26 countries (68.42%) and for AHPs in 19 countries (50%). Geriatric hospital wards are present in 28 countries (73.68%), and in eight countries, there are no GM clinical services available, especially in Southern Europe. GM is a standalone academic discipline in 20 countries (52.63%), and advanced academic doctoral study is available in 18 countries (47.36%). GM is more established in Northern and Western Europe.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the inconsistent development of GM across European countries. It provides a foundation for policy development and educational reform to meet the needs of Europe's ageing population.

MeSH

Nurses, Aging, Education, Geriatrics