Geriatrician Job Description

As the world population ages, the healthcare requirement of a specialist dealing with the elderly continues to increase. 

A geriatric doctor is the same as a primary care physician that looks after older adults patients. They treat both acute and chronic health conditions in older adults. Working with other doctors such as family physicians, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists and even the patient’s family is common. 

Their scope of work is very broad, covering problems, incidents and concussions from falling, heart issues, and even problems pertaining to the brain.

In this article, we will look deeper into the Geriatrician Job Description, examining the core duties, skills and education necessary to succeed in this segment of medicine.

Also read: Dialysis Nurse Job Description: Roles, Responsibilities, and Skills 

Who is a Geriatrician?

The practice of geriatric medicine is targeted to physicians or doctors who are responsible for the care of elderly patients aged 65 years and above with multifaceted health issues. A geriatrician is a medical doctor who identifies medical problems, gives therapy when required and consults with patients to understand how they would want to be treated. Usually, geriatricians are doctors of internal medicine or general practitioners who have greatly focused their studies on the elderly.

What does a Geriatrician do?

A Geriatrician is a doctor that focuses on the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of illnesses of old age. 

They take care of chronic diseases, cognitive issues, mobility problems, and progressive care plans customized to scale with the patient’s problems. Their primary aim is the improvement of viability and well-being in the elderly.

The attitude of a geriatrician is unlike any other; they focus on the individual as a complete being. 

All critical aspects such as range of mobility, emotional state, thoughts, and interactions have to be taken into consideration. 

After gathering the information, suitable treatment plans and suggestions are created. 

Here are a few others services offered to you by geriatric medicine doctors include but not limited to one or more of the following:

• Establish diagnoses for patients’ health problems.
• Designate drugs and other forms of therapy.
• Monitor adverse effects resulting from the therapy and modify medication when necessary.
• Confer with patients on the pros and cons of medical procedures, including an operation.

Also read: Optometrist Job Description (Tasks, Skills & Qualifications)

Key Responsibilities of a Geriatrician

A geriatrician’s responsibilities are patient-oriented, as well as, multifaceted. 

Some of them are: 

• Performing comprehensive assessments to gauge the individual’s physical, emotional, and social well-being.
• Diagnosing and treating chronic illnesses such as arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes.
• Managing cognitive disorders, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Prescribing medication with regards to older patients’ possible drug interactions.
• Geriatricians often collaborate with family members, care providers, and other health professionals.
• Teaching patients about healthy aging and preventive self-care. 

Essential Skills and Attributes for a Geriatrician

Balance of knowledge and soft skills will mark success in being a geriatrician, some of the essential skills needed to be successful in this field of medicine include:

• Understanding geriatrics and other health issues that come with aging.
• Ability to give and understand information concerning patients and their families.
• Compassion and tolerance towards the elderly.
• Ability to think creatively when developing care plans.
• Management of other acute conditions requires attention to detail. 
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate complex medical issues
• Knowledge of age-related physiological changes, chronic disease management, and geriatric syndromes
• Ability to stay up-to-date with the latest research, guidelines, and best practices in geriatric care

Educational Path to Becoming a Geriatrician

Education and training towards becoming a geriatrician is quite extensive. Generally, these are the steps: 

Obtain a bachelor’s degree with a major in either Biology or Chemistry, which is a prerequisite for medical school.

• Earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from an accredited medical school
• Complete a residency program in internal medicine or family medicine
• Pursue additional training through a fellowship program in geriatric medicine
• Obtain certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) or the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) with a certificate of added qualification in geriatric medicine

Work Settings and Employment Opportunities

Geriatricians work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:

• Hospitals and medical centers
• Private clinics and group practices
• Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
• Rehabilitation centers
• Hospice and palliative care units
• Academic and research institutions
• Home healthcare services

Also read: Gastroenterologist Job Description

Common Conditions Treated by Geriatricians

Geriatricians specialize in managing conditions that are prevalent among elderly patients. Some of these conditions include:

• Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
• Osteoporosis and fractures
• Cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and stroke
• Diabetes and metabolic disorders
• Arthritis and musculoskeletal issues
• Depression and anxiety
• Polypharmacy (complex medication management)

Importance of Geriatric Care

With proper geriatric care, one can expect:

• Higher quality of life or elderly patients
• Early diagnosis and management of chronic diseases.
• Better communication among healthcare providers.
• Reduced hospitalization rates and emergency visits
• Improved emotional wellbeing of elderly persons.

Drawbacks of Working Geriatrician

As rewarding as geriatrics can be, there are several hardships and challenges associated with it, such as:

• Multiple chronic conditions within one patient.
• Addressing comprehension deficits and dementia associated behaviors
• Cross provider care coordination
• Complex medication treatment within a patient along with its additional side effects
• Emotional and ethical issues associated with end of life care.

What’s the Future for Geriatrics as an Area of Specialization?

The geriatric peoples sector is set out for massive growth in the coming decades mainly driven by an aging population. What does this look like in practice:

• Growth of the area and IT systems supporting surgical and geriatric medicine.
• Growth of remote elderly care.
• Increased emphasis on proactive health management for seniors.
• Development of municipal geriatric care centers.
• New program for preparing specialists because there is much higher need.

Geriatric care team

A geriatric care team usually comprises a multidisciplinary group of medical professionals like geriatricians, healthcare workers, and support staff who come together to provide tailored healthcare services for elderly people. 

They care and treat various physical and mental conditions so you can live a normal and healthy lifestyle.

Apart from other geriatric medicine physicians, the following may also be other members of the team:

1. Dietitians.
2. Nurse practitioners.
3. Occupational therapists.
4. Pharmacists.
5. Physical therapists.
6. Physician assistants.
7. Psychiatrists and psychologists.
8. Social workers.
9. Speech and hearing specialists.

Also read: Dermatologist Job Description (Responsibilities, Skills & Qualifications)

Differences between a geriatric doctor vs. a gerontologist

Both geriatrics and gerontology work toward enhancing life in old age but differ in many aspects. While gerontology includes the biology, sociology, and environment of aging and its effects, geriatrics focuses on caring for elderly patients.

To become certified as a geriatric doctor, individuals need to complete four years in medical school, three years of internal medicine or family practice residency, and one year geriatric fellowship training. Like other doctors, they obtain a medical license after passing the USMLE or COMLEX exams. For those wishing to become a gerontologist, a bachelor’s degree in social work, nursing, counseling, psychology, and specially gerontology, is obligatory.

Final Remarks on Geriatrician Job Description

The complicated health concerns of older patients are managed by a geriatrician, who specializes in this field. 

Understanding specific details as a job description, responsibilities, and the required experience helps one in building a career in this specialty. 

With these increasing elderly demographics, enabling and fostering more healthcare workers to deliver optimal and kind hearted services to these elderly patients will always remain a priority concern.