Geriatricians


Overview

Geriatricians

Introduction

A geriatrician is a physician with specialized knowledge in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders common to old age. The term geriatrics refers to the clinical aspects of aging and the comprehensive health care of older people. It is an area of medicine that focuses on health and disease in old age and is a growing medical specialty. Geriatricians may also be known as geriatric physicians.

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$196,490

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Employment Prospects

Excellent

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Minimum Education Level

Medical Degree


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Experience

Residency and fellowship required


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Skills

Business Management|Interpersonal|Scientific


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Personality Traits

Helpful|Realistic|Scientific

Earnings

The average salary for medical residents was $61,200 in 2019, according to Medscape, a health care informatics firm. 

The mean annual salary for those specializing in internal medicine was $196,490 in May 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Top salaries of $250,000 or more are not uncommon in this profession. Although these are not figures specifically for geria...

Work Environment

Work environments are influenced by the setting in which geriatricians are employed, that is, hospitals, private offices, nursing homes, or schools, for example. Any geriatrician who works with patients, however, will practice in offices and examining rooms that are well equipped, clean, attractive, well lighted, and well ventilated. Geriatricians in private practice usually see patients by app...

Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for physicians who provide services for the elderly and persons with disabilities will grow by more than 35 percent through 2028, or much faster than the average for all careers. The number of Americans 65 and older is expected to increase to 77 million by 2034, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. As the large generation of baby boomers age...