Learning how to take more care

With one in four Hongkongers predicted to be over the age of 65 by 2033 and the health-care system facing unprecedented challenges, the specialist skills needed to look after the elderly are going to be in high demand.

The University of Hong Kong established its postgraduate diploma in community geriatrics eight years ago to address the shortage of medical expertise in caring for the elderly.

Now taught at the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the four-month, part-time course for holders of medical degrees costs HK$42,000.

The course covers mainly geriatric medicine for primary care doctors, which includes assessment of the elderly living in a community environment and the use of community resources as an integral part of their care.

Doctors taking the course study different aspects of ageing and the types of illnesses that typically inflict the elderly, such as dementia, stroke, depression, bladder and bowel problems, breathlessness and painful symptoms, as well as learning about rehabilitation and ethical issues.

'Most of our students are general practitioners and doctors from accident and emergency units of public hospitals,' said Lam Tai-pong, associate professor of family medicine at HKU.

According to Dr Lam, this was the only geriatrics diploma available in Hong Kong at university level. Graduates who passed the exams could use the qualification for practice.