Present and Future of Korean Geriatrics

Abstract

Worldwide, aged population has been rising since the Second World War. Developed countries have already taken measures to confront various problems brought by the phenomenon. Korea, with its population aging faster than any other countries, is developing national plans of action as well. The Korean government developed several strategies comprising long-term care insurance policies. In 2004, it attempted to newly recognize geriatric medicine as a specialty, but the efforts were futile in the face of medical societies seeking interests. Established in 1968, the Korean Geriatric Society reached 6,000 members in 2010. It has been decided that the 20th International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics in 2013 will be held in Seoul. Despite the circumstances, medical colleges are still failing to provide enough education on geriatric medicine, and geriatricians are not playing critical roles in caring elderly individuals in Korea. As the population is aging more rapidly, we will be facing numerous obstacles in maintaining the present society. It is imperative that the government recognize geriatric medicine as a major specialty to meet the demands of our future society. We hope that geriatricians will eventually take major actions to confront the health problems of the aged population and contribute not only to education of medical students but also to training of medical doctors in preparation for the near coming future.