Postgraduate Diploma in Elderly Medicine was the first step taken by the PGIM in establishing an academic specialty in geriatric health in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is said to have the fastest ageing population in South East Asia where it is estimated that the percentage of elderly which was about 11.5% in 2000 will increase up to 20% by the year 2020. The need for training health care personnel to cater to this growing demand for elderly health services has been recognized by the Ministry of Health. In view of the considerable overlap of specialties involved in providing care to the elderly, PGIM initiated the Elderly Medicine program through the Board of Study in Multidisciplinary Study Courses in 2013. This program has been renamed as Postgraduate Diploma in Geriatric Medicine since 2018. The program receives multi-dimensional inputs from various stakeholders including overseas specialists, in order to provide a comprehensive training to the trainees.
The healthcare indices in Sri Lanka reflect the high standards of its healthcare system. Achieving the same in relation to geriatric service provision should also be a prime objective. However, although the Sri Lankan population is considered the fastest ageing population in South East Asia, rate of development of elderly health services does not appear proportionate to the emerging demand. Failing to recognize the healthcare needs in elderly persons both at the community and institutional levels have deprived them of receiving adequate care and follow-up in achieving optimum health. At the same time, early recognition of disease states, prevention of future morbidity as well as rehabilitation of elderly patients can be improved, when healthcare professionals with specific training undertake such activities, at various levels of healthcare provision. This in turn is expected to promote, efficient utilization of health resources as well as institutional healthcare facilities together with effective cooperation between health related and non-health related elderly care service providers.
The programme meets the requirements of the relevant qualification descriptors and level descriptors of the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework and is set at Level 08 of the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework.
Acquisition of this Postgraduate Diploma is considered useful to
- improve the knowledge in relation to healthcare needs of elderly persons
- develop skills to provide coordinated health care services to the elderly population
- gain experience on utilizing resources available for elderly health provision through rational decision making
- qualify the participants for promotion to grade 1 medical officers in the Ministry of Health
- facilitate research pertaining to elderly health
At the completion of the course the trainee shall be able to
- identify specific health related problems and needs in the elderly in view of planning and implementing interventions at the domiciliary settings, primary healthcare level and institutions providing care for the elderly
- provide humane care and treatment based on sound judgment in the primary care setting
- make appropriate referrals when indicated
- provide leadership in the community level program implementation and research activities pertaining to the elderly
- liaise with health care institutions and community-based organizations 6. develop effective communication skills in the management of elderly patients and theircares takers
- demonstrate good knowledge on research methodology
(a) A medical degree registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council
(b) Satisfactory completion of internship acceptable to the Sri Lanka Medical Council
(c) Satisfactory completion of one year of post-internship service in a university/public sector/private sector institution in Sri Lanka acceptable to the PGIM
*Sri Lankans in the non-state sector will be selected based on “guidelines for enrolment of non-state sector candidates for training programs. The decision of the Board of Management will be final in all such applications. The quota for the non-state sector is determined for each year by the BOS and same will be included in the advertisement.
*Foreign nationals who seek to apply to register for the selection examination should possess a medical degree registrable with the Sri Lanka Medical Council. They will be selected based on “guidelines for enrolment of non-state sector candidates for training programs – 2011. The decision of the Board of Management will be final in all such applications.
(d) The criteria prescribed in paragraph (a) to (c) must have been satisfied by the applicant at the date of closure of applications for the selection examination for the postgraduate Diploma in Geriatric Medicine
(e) Where a shortfall has occurred due to any reasons including sickness, maternity or other leave, the applicant should complete such shortfall to be eligible to apply for the selection examination.
Please refer to the relevant prospectus for the most up to date information. The prospectus of a particular programme contains official information pertaining to a programme approved by the Board of Management, University Senate and the University Grants Commission