Letter to the Editor

Improving Medical Students’ Perceptions of Older Adults by Engaging Older Military Veterans in Recreational Activities

Authors: Joshua S. Jue MD, Zoltan Buchwald MD, Neil P. Larson MD, Stuart M. Sacks MD, Maria H. van Zuilen PhD

Abstract

To the Editor: The aging of the US population has led to a shortage of physicians in geriatrics to care for the 30% of older adults who should be seen by a geriatrician.1 To compound this deficit, few physicians are choosing to specialize in this field.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. The Demand for Geriatric Care and the Evident Shortage of Geriatrics Healthcare Providers. New York:American Geriatrics Society;2013.
 
2. Higashi RT, Tillack AA, Steinman M, et al. Elder care as"frustrating"and"boring": understanding the persistence of negative attitudes toward older patients among physicians-in-training. J Aging Stud 2012;26:476-483.
 
3. Eleazer GP, Doshi R, Wieland D, et al. Geriatric content in medical school curricula: results of a national survey. J Am Geriatr Soc 2005;53:136-140.
 
4. Samra R, Griffiths A, Cox T, et al. Changes in medical student and doctor attitudes toward older adults after an intervention: a systematic review. J Am Geriatr Soc 2013;61:1188-1196.