Why geriatrics? Academic geriatricians' perceptions of the positive, attractive aspects of geriatrics.
BACKGROUND
Recruitment of geriatrics trainees has been poor, and the current shortage of academic geriatricians is expected to worsen. Although barriers to entering geriatrics practice have been identified, a review of the literature found few studies about why people choose to enter geriatrics.


METHODS
We used qualitative methods to investigate the positive, attractive aspects of geriatrics. Long interviews with six academic geriatricians were taped and transcribed. Transcripts were entered into a textual database computer program and reviewed independently by two investigators.


RESULTS
Six themes emerged: 1) traditional learning experiences, 2) value on personal relationships, 3) a perception of distinctive differences, 4) a desire to feel needed personally and societally, 5) prefer democracy versus autocracy, and 6) desire intellectual challenges. Academic geriatrics, therefore, is particularly attractive to people who value enduring relationships, see challenges in complexity, practice social responsibility, prefer working within a multidisciplinary team, and derive satisfaction from making seemingly small but nonetheless important changes in peoples' lives.


CONCLUSIONS
If further studies validate these findings, they could promote geriatrics as a career, by, for example, identifying students and family practice and internal medicine residents who share these values, beliefs, and attitudes and encouraging them to consider this important field.
Cravens
D D
DD
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia. cravensd@health.missouri.edu
Campbell
J D
JD
Mehr
D R
DR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010560:Personnel Selection; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012945:Social Values; D013637:Tape Recording; D000078329:Workforce