A postgraduate diploma course in community geriatrics for primary care doctors: Experience of first three years

Abstract

This paper describes the setting up of a postgraduate diploma course in Community Geriatrics for primary care physicians and the experience gained in its first three years of running. This study programme was set up in response to the rapidly rising elderly population in Hong Kong and the fact that most of the primary care doctors practising today had an inadequate undergraduate curriculum in the health care issues that are relevant to older people. The objectives of the Course are to improve the knowledge, skills and confidence of primary care physicians in the care of elderly people. It also emphasises the aspects of care that are unique to elderly people. The Course is delivered by different modes of learning: distance learning, face-to-face problem-orientated seminars and small group clinical teaching. Learning centres are established in different regional hospitals in Hong Kong in order to allow small group clinical teaching while, at the same time, reducing travelling time for the students. Information technology is also used to facilitate teaching and learning, as well as to encourage communication among teachers and students. The Course was oversubscribed for all its intakes in the first three years of running. Some graduates have taken on visiting medical officer positions at elderly homes.