September 5, 2006 Source: :
http://communications.uwo.ca/media_newsroom/story.html?listing_id=21791 Doctor Shortage Grows for Aging Baby Boomers London, ON - A Canadian study indicates doctors who practice geriatric medicine (GM) are going to be in short supply when baby boomers are going to need them most, if something isn't done soon to address the shortfall. Dr. Laura Diachun, Geriatric Medicine Residency Program Director for the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario and Dr. Susan Torrible, lead author and Staff Geriatrician with the Windsor Regional Hospital conducted the Geriatric Recruitment Issues Study (GRIST). They surveyed Canadian geriatricians, internal medicine residents and senior medical students to rate factors that go into choosing a medical subspecialty. Their findings, and recommendations for improving GM recruitment, are published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. "Given Canada's current shortage of geriatricians and extremely low numbers of students entering geriatrics, it's essential to understand how we can better teach medical students the principles of elder care," explains Diachun. "Results from the GRIST study will play an essential part in developing effective recruitment strategies needed to ensure that in the next 15 to 20 years, there is an adequate number of Canadian physicians trained in the care of the elderly." There are currently fewer than 200 geriatricians in Canada, while estimates put the need at three times that number. Recruitment strategies being recommended include streamlining the training required for geriatric medicine, mentoring programs, financial incentives and provincial and national promotional campaigns. It currently takes three years of internal medicine residency, followed by two years of geriatric medicine to become a certified geriatrician. GRIST recommends direct entry into geriatrics following undergraduate medical training. Diachun is a geriatrician at St. Joseph's Health Care, Parkwood Hospital and can be reached at 519-685-4021 or at laura.diachun@sjhc.london.ca . Torrible can be contacted at storrible@yahoo.com or 734-213-3813. -30- Kathy Wallis, Media Relations Officer
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
The University of Western Ontario
(519) 661-2111 ext. 81136
Kathy.wallis@schulich.uwo.ca
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