J Korean Med Sci.  2018 Jun;33(26):e175. 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e175.

Why Geriatric Medicine Is Important for Korea: Lessons Learned in the United States

• Won CW
• Kim S
• Swagerty D

• KMID: 2414029
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e175

Abstract

With the rapid increase in the number of Korean older adults, developing and integrating quality, expert older adult care in the Korean health care system will be essential and a tremendous benefit to these older adult patients, their families, and Korean society. While the awareness of geriatric medicine as a specialty for physicians caring exclusively for older adults has improved greatly in recent decades among Korean health care providers and older adult patients, there is still great opportunity to improve training opportunities for all medical students, primary care physicians, and specialty Geriatrics. Korea must also formally establish uniform geriatric medicine fellowships and certification. However, a number of barriers such as insufficient expertise, low incentives, and competitive geriatric societies exist to implement widespread, quality geriatric medicine in the Korean health care system.

Keyword

Geriatrics; Frail Older Adults; Korea; Geriatricians; Geriatric Education

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Certification
Clothing
Delivery of Health Care
Fellowships and Scholarships
Frail Elderly
Geriatrics
Health Personnel
Humans
Korea*
Motivation
Physicians, Primary Care
Students, Medical
United States*