Complex care needs

Only the most vulnerable and infirm elderly people are eligible for admission to a nursing home, and they often have complex care needs. Moreover, the number of older people living independently is growing, and the care they require is often too intensive and complex for GPs to deal with alone. Geriatric specialists are crucial as medical experts in the provision of care for these vulnerable elderly people, both in nursing homes and in primary care as advisors to GPs.

The head of the new programme is Dr Mariëlle van der Velden-Daamen, a specialist in geriatric medicine. ‘The profession is very diverse: geriatric rehabilitation care, care for people with dementia or chronic somatic disorders, palliative care and primary care support. Just because treatment is possible doesn’t mean it’s necessary. It’s not that in nursing homes you simply stop treating people. Before you make this decision, you want to know what could be wrong with them. Diagnoses are also made in nursing homes.’

Current events underline how vital it is to have sufficient GPs and geriatric specialists. Maastricht trains medical professionals for and in the region, both in geriatric medicine and general practice. These fields are complementary.

Existing infrastructure

The new programme will be part of Maastricht University’s Department of General Practice, which also offers a three-year GP specialty training programme. This means the existing infrastructure can be used optimally. There will also be new opportunities for cooperation among doctors in specialty training, and between general and specialty training programmes.

‘Preparations for the start are in full swing. We’re accepting applications for the first year of the programme until 1 May. At the same time, we’re recruiting staff. The first-year curriculum is basically ready, and we’re also looking at innovations in healthcare and training.’

For more information, see www.ouderengeneeskundemaastricht.nl