Cleveland, Ohio – Pat Early, a 66-year-old resident living with Sjogren’s syndrome since her 30s, relies on a team of specialists to manage the complexities of her autoimmune disease. When faced with the need to find a new primary care doctor due to her current one cutting back staff, Early discovered the benefits of seeking care from geriatricians – medical professionals specialized in treating patients over 65.
Despite not considering herself “old,” Early was drawn to the personalized approach offered by the geriatric practice. The geriatricians at her new practice emphasized building long-lasting relationships with their patients, addressing the unique challenges related to aging, and providing comprehensive care until the end of life. This shift brought a sense of gratitude and security to Early, who acknowledged the rarity of such personalized care for individuals her age.
With older adults accounting for a significant portion of hospital admissions and healthcare utilization, the shortage of board-certified geriatricians in the United States becomes apparent. Research indicates that geriatricians are more effective in managing older patients, resulting in better outcomes, lower inpatient death rates, shorter hospital stays, and reduced healthcare costs. Despite the increasing demand for geriatric care, fellowship positions in geriatric medicine remain unfilled, exacerbating the existing shortage of trained professionals in the field.
Experts attribute the scarcity of geriatricians to negative stereotypes about aging, inadequate exposure to the field among medical professionals, and lower salaries compared to other specialties. This shortage leads to potential issues such as misdiagnoses, overprescribing medications, and adverse drug reactions in older patients. The unique physiological changes that occur with aging affect how medications are metabolized, highlighting the importance of specialized care for older adults.
Furthermore, the gap in geriatric care is further compounded by the limited exposure to geriatrics during medical training, the lack of financial incentives, and the lower salaries offered to geriatricians. Initiatives such as student loan forgiveness programs, midcareer pathways for general internists to receive intensive geriatric training, and increased funding for geriatrics training during residency programs could help address the shortage of trained professionals in the field. Overall, the growing need for geriatric care emphasizes the necessity of specialized medical attention for older adults to ensure optimal health outcomes and quality of life.