Geriatric Medicine

- section of UEMS



Delegates:

Konstantin Shchierback
konstant@landspitali.is

Olafur Helgi Samuelsson
olafur@eir.is

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Geriatrics in Iceland

Do geriatric co-management programs exist in non-geriatric units:
In orthopedics: Othogeriatric unit
Total population >65 Years old (in absolute numbers): :
61752
Population aged 65+ (or 60+) (in %):: :
16% (65+)
Population aged 75+ (in %)::
6,8%
Population aged 80+ (in %):  :
3,6%
Gender distribution in the older population (60+) :
(60+) : males = 48,6%, females= 51,4%
Most frequent Diagnosis-related groupsin older adults:
Mortality and morbidity information:
on average 21% of 65+ with some long term health related issues rising with age (2018). Average life expectancy: males 80,9y females 84.3 y (2024)
National geriatrics society/association name:
Icelandic geriatric medicine society
Contact details (email, phone number) :
olafur@eir.is , tel: 00 354 893 5344
Website - URL :
http://www.oldrunarlaeknar.is/
Total number of certified geriatricians in the country :
32 (website)
Is Geriatrics a recognized specialty? (Yes/No) :
yes
Duration of postgraduate training in geriatric medicine (years): :
for specialists in Internal medicine and family medicine extra 2 years (after 3 years of main speciality training) 5 years total
Criteria to be admitted in geriatric medicine residency training:
Licensed specialist in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine
Any ongoing programs to train more geriatricians? (Yes/No):
yes
Criteria for a patient be treated by a geriatrician :
Multimorbidity, frailty, dementia but age limit of 67y not strictly anforced
Number of hospitals with dedicated geriatric units:
2
Kind of units present in hospitals involved in geriatric care:
In reykjavik: acute wards, rehabilitation units and ambulatory service. In Akureyri: Rehabilitation units and ambulatory service, in Selfoss ambulatory and home care
Do geriatric co-management programs exist in non-geriatric units:
In orthopedics: Othogeriatric unit
Major challenges :
Lack of staff, lack of beds and lack of sufficient home sevice and LTC beds leading to discharge problems.
Initiatives or solutions being implemented to address these :
Ongoing financial and professional reorganisation of hospital and home services. lack of funding and staff are obstacles
Are there regional disparities in geriatric care?:
Yes, most geratricians work in Reykjavik (largest population. geriatric expertise lacking in rural areas
Which regions have the best/worst access to geriatric services? :
Best access in Reykjavik, the 2 smaller toens of Selfoss and Akureyri rest of country
Number of long-term care facilities:
8-10
Are there co-management programs in these:
not as I understand that concept
Name of Universities Offering Geriatric Medicine:
University of Iceland
Geriatric medicine is part of undergraduate training?:
yes
Is there a postgraduate curriculum specific to geriatrics?:
yes
How many candidates are enrolled into geriatric:
1-2
Name of UEMS board membersandcontacts per country:
2
Additional comments or important information
yes