Program overview
Geriatric medicine is a specialized branch of clinical medicine that addresses health issues unique to older adults, such as multimorbidity, geriatric syndromes (falls, dementia, urinary incontinence, etc.), medication safety, and functional maintenance. In simple terms, it's about helping older people live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Core courses include Introduction to Geriatric Medicine, Geriatric Syndrome Assessment, Geriatric Pharmacology, Geriatric Psychology, Geriatric Nursing, and Rehabilitation Medicine. You'll also learn how to manage chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis) and conduct comprehensive assessments. Many medical schools in China (such as Peking Union Medical College, Fudan University, and Sichuan University) have geriatric research centers or affiliated geriatric hospitals, offering rich clinical resources and exposure to a wide range of real cases. This specialty suits students who are patient, enjoy interacting with people, and are interested in holistic diagnosis and treatment. If you're not satisfied with focusing on a single organ but want to understand the overall physical and psychological needs of older adults, geriatric medicine is a great fit. Moreover, China is aging rapidly, and there is a significant shortage of geriatric professionals, making this field highly relevant.