Training of specialized geriatric physicians to meet the needs of an aging population - A unique care of the elderly physician program in Canada

摘要

In the United States, 21% (79.7 million) of the population will be aged 65 and older by 2040, with similar projections for Canada. These demographic changes will result in a greater number of older people needing complex care and a greater need for chronic disease management. There currently is a "dramatic shortage of all types of health care workers," with the healthcare workforce overall "inadequately trained to care for older adults." There were 7,356 certified geriatricians in the United States in 2012, with an estimated need for 30,000 by 2030. In Canada, there were 216 geriatricians in 2010, with an estimated need for at least twice that. Few physicians are joining this specialty in either country, and initiatives to bolster training in geriatrics for undergraduate medical students in North America have met limited success. As a result, there is a significant shortage of physicians caring for older adults.