What Is a Geriatric Physician?

Home » What Is a Geriatric Physician? » Education & Training, Board Certification

Education & Training

To become a geriatrician, students must complete the following education and training requirements:

• Undergraduate degree (e.g., Bachelor's of Science)
• Medical degree (e.g., M.D., D.O.; from an accredited medical school)
• Residency program (3–5 years of training in a general medicine, usually in a hospital or clinic)
• Medical license (unrestricted, granted by each state)
• Board certification (e.g., in family medicine, internal medicine; must pass an oral and written examination)
• Fellowship program (in geriatric medicine or geriatric psychiatry; usually 1–3 years)
• Certification in geriatric medicine

Students who are interested in geriatric medicine often begin taking courses in the field while in medical school. They may take classes in biology, sociology, psychology, economics, the humanities, and law as it pertains to medicine.

Board Certification

Following medical school and completion of a residency program, physicians who wish to become geriatricians must be board certified (e.g., by the American Board of Family Medicine [ABFM] or the American Board of Internal Medicine [ABIM]). After receiving board certification, family practitioners or internists must then complete additional training (called a geriatric fellowship) to sub-specialize in geriatrics.

Fellowship programs required to enter the teaching or research field usually are 1 to 2 years long and fellowships to practice clinical geriatrics usually are 3 to 4 years long. Upon successful completion of a geriatric fellowship, physicians are awarded a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatric Medicine.

Geriatric psychiatrists are certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and sub-specialize in geriatric psychiatry. These physicians focus on the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders in older adults.

Geriatric physicians and geriatric psychiatrists must participate in continuing medical education (CME) and professional development programs in order to maintain their certification.

© 1998-2009 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

What Is a Geriatric Physician? Resources

	Join Our Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer