Why young doctors aren't choosing to become geriatricians

As populations age and life expectancy continues to rise, geriatricians — doctors who specialize in the comprehensive treatment of elderly people — are becoming an increasingly important part of the healthcare system. These specialists address the specific set of health issues common among older patients, which often require a different approach than care for younger people.

Despite the growing need for such specialists, geriatrics is one of the medical fields that has failed to attract a single new young doctor in recent years. This means the ranks of practicing geriatricians are not being replenished with new colleagues, even as the aging trend in society suggests that demand for this kind of care will only continue to grow.

A conversation with a young geriatrician

To understand why this particular specialty holds so little appeal for young people, Latvian Radio turned to young geriatrician Zane Metra, one of the few members of her generation to have chosen this professional path. The conversation sought to explore what discourages young doctors from pursuing the treatment of older patients as a career direction.

The question of a shortage of geriatricians is becoming increasingly relevant, as Latvian society, like many others across Europe, is aging, which in turn increases demand for specialists capable of providing comprehensive healthcare to seniors. A situation in which a medical specialty goes years without gaining new practitioners raises the risk that, in the future, the number of available geriatricians will be unable to keep pace with society's needs.