Core competencies for the care of older patients: Recommendations of the American Geriatrics Society

The aging of the U.S. population has led many organizations to call for an increase in the amount of clinical geriatrics training in medical education . A subcommittee of the American Geriatrics Society's Education Committee w as assigned the task of defining core competencies for geriatrics education in medical schools. The subcommittee reviewed the available literature, su rveyed selected programs in geriatrics education, and sought input from exp erts in geriatrics education. They then defined the core knowledge, attitud es, and skills students must develop to care for older people. This article summarizes these core competencies, which medical educators may find usefu l in developing new curricula on aging or in evaluating existing curricula.