PG Diploma Geriatric Medicine Course, Eligibility, Duration, Admission, Fees, Syllabus, Scope

PGD in geriatrics is a one-year programme that focuses on providing health care for the elderly patients. Upon completion of the programme, students will be able to assess the population of older adults, and effectively assess and manage older patients and specialty geriatric areas. An MBBS degree is generally required to qualify for the programme. Topics include geriatric assessment, palliative care, and chronic disease management.

PGD Geriatric Medicine emphasises comprehensive geriatrics, preparing healthcare professionals to meet the specific needs of older adults. Graduates of this programme can work as geriatricians, nursing home administrators, or health care consultants. The programme also includes contributions to geriatric health care programmes, geriatric clinics, and research. Recruiters include hospitals and government health agencies seeking professionals in geriatrics.

PGD Geriatric Medicine Highlights

PGD Geriatric Medicine Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for this course holds that a candidate must be a graduate in the medical field from a recognised institution. This qualification ensures a foundational understanding of medical principles and establishes a solid knowledge base for gerontology in particular.

• Applicants should possess a recognised MBBS degree.

• Successful completion of mandatory internships is a prerequisite.

• Candidates must register with the medical board concerned.

PGD Geriatric Medicine Admission Process

Admission to PGD in Geriatric Medicine requires a careful approach. Candidates should be guided through specific steps in the journey. These steps include qualifying test to the entrance test, and ensuring that the right individuals are selected for this crucial course.

• Applicants must verify their eligibility based on academic requirements, usually an MBBS degree in a related field is required.

• Once eligibility is confirmed, applicants select a specific college offering PGD in geriatrics and complete the application process while meeting the deadline.

• Candidates usually take institution-specific exams, such as IGNOU Entrance Exam, to assess their aptitude and knowledge in geriatrics.

• Successful applicants go through the document verification phase, where academic records and other relevant documents are reviewed for accuracy and authenticity.

• After document verification and interviews, organisations shortlist candidates based on performance and alignment with programme requirements.

• The final stage is the selection of candidates who have passed all the screening, interview, and certification processes and are granted admission to the PGD in Geriatrics.

PGD Geriatric Medicine Entrance Exams

The PGD Geriatric Medicine entrance examination tests candidates' knowledge of the elderly, emphasising medical, psychological, and social aspects of ageing. IGNOU takes its entrance exam to facilitate filtering out deserving candidates effectively.

IGNOU Exam - The IGNOU exams conducted by Indira Gandhi National Open University consists of a wide range of academic levels in undergraduate to postgraduate programmes. It uses a flexible approach, which often uses online testing, to facilitate learning for many different types of students in different classes.

PGD Geriatric Medicine Skills Required

The PGD geriatric training programme provides students with the skills needed to meet the specific health needs of the elderly. These competencies include medical, analytical, and interpersonal skills to provide comprehensive geriatric care.

Skills required:

• Medical Assessment

• Geriatric Psychiatry

• Palliative Care

• Multidisciplinary Collaboration

• Epidemiological Understanding

• Transfer of Care Planning

• Chronic Disease Management

• Acute Illness Diagnosis

PGD Geriatric Medicine Subject/Syllabus

The PGD Department of Geriatrics offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide healthcare professionals with the unique knowledge and skills to deal with the unique health challenges of the elderly. The curriculum covers a variety of aspects of geriatric care, allowing the specific needs of older individuals to be better met.

PGD Geriatric Medicine Fees Structure

The cost of PGD Geriatric Medicine varies between institutions but generally, the average fee is around Rs. 26,000. This estimate includes tuition, materials, and associated costs, reflecting the funding requirements for professionals seeking specialised training in geriatrics.

PGD Geriatric Medicine Scope

With the increasing elderly population worldwide, PGD in geriatrics has expanded. Graduates have opportunities as gerontologists, nursing home administrators, or consultants, and contribute to policy development, geriatric clinics, and research. With specialised expertise in diagnosing and managing ageing issues, they are needed in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and government health agencies.

The demand for geriatric healthcare professionals is on the rise, leading to fantastic job prospects. The scope extends to implementing and improving health care systems for the elderly, planning for transfer, and addressing the general problems of ageing. Overall, the programme prepares individuals to make a significant contribution to the well-being of older people.

PGD Geriatric Medicine Career Options

PGD in geriatrics medicine opens up career paths and meets the special health needs of the elderly. Graduates make a significant contribution to improving the lives of older individuals through their acquired knowledge.

• Geriatrician: The geriatrician focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and managing health problems in patients who are of the old age group. He/She offers comprehensive and tailored healthcare solutions to improve their well-being.

• Healthcare administrator: The healthcare administrator oversees the operation of the nursing home, ensuring that its elderly residents are well cared for. He/She manages resources, personnel, and office work, and works to create a safe and comfortable environment for older individuals in residential care.

• Healthcare Consultant: The Healthcare Consultant guides organisations, implements best practices, and advise programmes. He/She adapts patient care strategies to meet the specific needs of older adults' role in improving health care for older people.

• Gerontologist: Gerontologists involved in scientific research investigate health challenges faced by older people, helping to develop new treatments and programmes. Their mission is to advance aged care and improve overall health outcomes for older people.

Top Recruiters:

• Metropolis Healthcare

• SRL Diagnostics

• Dr. Lal PathLabs

• Apollo Hospitals

• Fortis Healthcare

• Max Healthcare

PGD Geriatric Medicine Benefit of Studying

Studying PGD Geriatric Medicine offers health-care professionals with the specialised knowledge needed to care for the unique needs of the elderly. Graduates develop a deeper understanding of geriatric assessment, chronic disease management, and rehabilitation, contributing significantly to geriatric care. The programme provides access to acute and chronic diseases common in the elderly population for diagnosis and treatment.

Additionally, graduates are equipped to navigate the evolving geriatric healthcare landscape, making them sought-after professionals in healthcare systems. In addition to individual professional development, the programme has a significant social impact and helps to improve health care outcomes for older people and promote age-friendly health care systems.

PGD Geriatric Medicine Expected Salary

Salary expectations for PGD Geriatric Medicine graduates vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and employer. However, professionals in this field often command competitive salaries due to their specialised expertise in elderly care.

Source: Glassdoor

The salary figures mentioned anywhere in these articles are just for reference purposes. Please treat them as such. Actual salaries can vary depending on respective candidates, employer, job location and numerous other factors.

List of Top PGD Geriatric Medicine Colleges in India

Several respected institutes in India offer Post Graduate Diploma programmes in Geriatrics, providing healthcare professionals with specialised skills to care for the elderly. These institutes are recognised for providing a platform for professionals to excel in the health care of older people.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Geriatrics equips healthcare professionals with the fundamental skills necessary to meet the complex healthcare needs of an older population. This comprehensive programme ensures that general physicians are well-equipped to deliver high-quality person-centred care, contributing significantly to the growth of geriatric care.