Geriatric medical education: developments since the American Geriatrics Society Conferences on Geriatric Education, 1976-77.

This is a Report presented to and endorsed by the Board of Directors of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). It deals with developments since the AGS Conferences on Geriatric Education, 1976-77. Summarized is the position adopted by various medical organizations and associations, including the Institute of Medicine, Federated Council for Internal Medicine, American Society of Internal Medicine, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Their stances essentially agree with that described in the Proceedings of the 1976-77 Conferences (JAGS, November 1977). The consensus arising from discussions by organized medical groups is that creation of a new practice specialty is unnecessary, although development and maintenance of an academic cadre of teachers and researchers is essential. Called for is greater commitment at the medical school level to incorporate geriatrics into the curriculum. The Report also deals with the question of merited recognition for those with special competency or expanded training in geriatrics. Finally, the Report provides support for the Medical Director concept, and looks to the Society's new Section for Long-Term Care Physicians to provide leadership in emphasizing the role of the physician in long-term care. The AGS intends, through future reports, publications, conferences, and liaison relationships with other organizations, to continue this advance, seeking solutions designed to improve and extend the health care of the aging population.