7.jpg

DM - Geriatric Mental Health

  • 1 Colleges

Geriatric mental health is concerned with early diagnosis, evaluation, prevention and treatment of mental health problems of the geriatric population. .

Geriatric mental health is concerned with early diagnosis, evaluation, prevention and treatment of mental health problems of the geriatric population. The nature of geriatric mental health is different from the other mental health issues because of the special care and needs that are being demanded by the elderly population. Therefore, the idea behind the emergence of this discipline is to impart training in geriatric mental health to the general mental health specialists. The purpose of this training is to professionalize and decentralize to make accessibility of advice at the primary level in minimum time. In India, it is expected that the share of the elderly population will increase to more than 18.4% by the year 2025. This increase is caused to bring various psychological changes and neuropsychiatric problems primarily related to depression and dementia in the elderly population. This has led to a rapidly increasing demand for specialists in the discipline of geriatric mental health to ensure the well-being of elders and make them feel lovable. 

DM in Geriatric mental health is a thoroughly structured and highly supervised course. The purpose of the course is to provide intensive didactic information and first-hand practical experience of inpatient and outpatient basis training in this field of medicine. It is aimed at students wishing to pursue a career in the speciality of Geriatrics. The course is designed to prepare the students in all aspects of geriatrics along with a deep understanding of the biological changes, psychological changes, nursing intervention, management of health problems of older persons, common diseases prevalent in elders like stroke, loss of memory, anorexia, basic geriatric caring, and many other subjects. With the growing number of complications in the immune system, it has become important to specialize the learners in the fundamental principles of geriatrics so that they can render their consultative assistance too. It is expected that during the course the students will gain proficiency in many aspects of medical science and will be able to cater to the needs of the patient in alliance with the National Programme for the Health Care of the Elderly and Maintenance and Welfare of 

The course can be taken by the candidates who have completed MD or its equivalent from a recognized university. The duration of the course spans 3 years. A career in this field is very promising as one can seek employment in sectors like government hospitals, private clinics, healthcare units, medical universities and many more. The job roles offered are geriatric social worker, occupational therapist, caregiver, mental health therapist, consultant, professor, and many others. And if one wants to enrich one’s understanding of this field, the option of further studies is always open.

Advertisement