Who wants to work in geriatrics: Findings from a national survey of physicians and nurse practitioners.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: As the United States population is aging, there is a chronic shortage of geriatrics- and gerontology- trained clinicians despite a variety of incentives. With primary care clinicians also in short supply, health systems are trying to cope with the increasing demand for care for older adults PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine respondents' willingness to recommend their career to others and beliefs about changes necessary to enhance the supply of appropriately prepared clinicians METHODS: This study used a national survey of a stratified sample of 276 physicians and 134 nurse practitioners working in primary care and geriatric practices. FINDINGS: Among nurse practitioner respondents, 29% would "definitely" recommend a career as a geriatrician vs. seventeen percent of physicians; thirteen percent of physicians would "definitely" recommend a career as a nurse practitioner specializing in adult/gerontology vs. 42% for nurse practitioners. Those trained in geriatrics were more likely to recommend a career in the field. DISCUSSION: Nurse practitioners and physicians differ in their willingness to recommend careers in in gerontology and geriatrics, but less than a majority would strongly recommend careers in either specialty. Based on clinical reports, substantial reforms in payment and reimbursement for services may be necessary to bolster the geriatric field's attractiveness, and better prepare the workforce to care for older adults.