title: Care of the elderly program at the University of Alberta: meeting the challenges of treating the aging population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The population is aging rapidly and there are implications for health care delivery in the face of few physicians specializing in care of the elderly (COE).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To train physicians wishing to provide COE services.
  
  
  METHODS
  The COE program at the University of Alberta in Edmonton is an enhanced skills diploma program lasting 6 months to 1 year, with core program requirements including geriatric inpatient care,geriatric psychiatry, ambulatory care, continuing care, and outreach. There is a longitudinal clinic component and a research project requirement. The program is designed to cover the 85 core competencies in the Can MEDS-Family Medicine roles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need for COE physicians to provide clinical care as well as fill educational, administrative, and research roles to meet the health care needs of medically complex seniors. These physicians require alternative funding and a departmental home within a university if they are to provide an academic service.
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dobbs
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Triscott
authors.forename: Rhianne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McKay
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000416:Alberta; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration; D014495:Universities; D000078329:Workforce