Post-Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Medicine (PGDGM) Programme is a one-year Diploma Programme of 36 credits (14 credits in theory and 22 credits in practical). This programme was launched in January, 2004 and has been revised. Revised programme is on offer from Jan 2022 session. The programme is offered from Learner Support Centre in different parts of the country. With increasing life expectancy, the proportion of elderly population is fast increasing. Aging is inevitable and irreversible. The epidemiology and the clinical features of diseases vary in this age group and drug dosages and interactions also differ. Geriatric management requires not only medical interventions, but also special economic and environmental interventions. This Programme aims at equipping the practicing doctors with knowledge and skills in the field of Geriatric Medicine and enable them to deal with the special problems faced by the elderly and can provide primary-level care to the elderly.
The broad objectives of this programme are to: Discuss the demography and epidemiology of older population; Perform a comprehensive assessment of an older person, including mood and cognition, gait, nutrition and fitness for surgery in an in-patient, home or community setting,including day hospitals; Diagnose and manage acute illness in old age in an in-patient setting, home and community setting where appropriate and be able to identify and refer the cases for specialist intervention; Diagnose and manage those with chronic disease and disability in an in-patient, home, hospital and community setting and be able to identify and refer the cases to specialist where need be; Provide rehabilitation with the multidisciplinary team to an older patient in an inpatient, home, hospital and community setting and be able to identify and refer the cases for specialist intervention where need be; Discuss and participate in implementation of different National Health care programs for the older person; Plan the transfer of care of frail older patients from hospital to home settings; Apply the knowledge and skills of geriatrics in an intermediate care, home and/or community setting; Assess and manage older patients presenting with the common geriatric problems: (a) falls with or without fracture, (b) delirium, (c) incontinence, (d) poor mobility; Demonstrate competence in palliative care, orthogeriatrics, old age psychiatry and stroke