Perspectives and experiences of the first geriatricians trained in Canada.
Many Canadian-trained geriatricians from the subspecialty's first decade of existence continue to practice today. The objective of this study was to examine the experiences and perspectives of the earliest cohort of geriatricians in Canada. Using qualitative description method, we conducted sem...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2023-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287857 |
| _version_ | 1797774785079410688 |
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| author | Eric Kai-Chung Wong Alexander Day Maria Zorzitto Joanna E M Sale |
| author_facet | Eric Kai-Chung Wong Alexander Day Maria Zorzitto Joanna E M Sale |
| author_sort | Eric Kai-Chung Wong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Many Canadian-trained geriatricians from the subspecialty's first decade of existence continue to practice today. The objective of this study was to examine the experiences and perspectives of the earliest cohort of geriatricians in Canada. Using qualitative description method, we conducted semi-structured interviews to explore participants' experiences in training and practice. We included geriatricians who trained in Canada between 1980-1989 and were in active clinical practice as of October 2021. Each transcript was coded independently by two investigators. Thematic analysis was used to develop key themes. Fourteen participants (43% female, mean years in practice 35.9) described their choice to enter geriatric medicine, their training process, the roles of a geriatrician, challenges facing the profession and advice for trainees. Two themes were developed from the data: (i) advocacy for the older adult and (ii) geriatrics as "the road less taken". Advocacy was described as the "core mission" of a geriatrician. Participants discussed the importance of advocacy in clinical practice, education, research and disseminating geriatric principles in the health system and society. "The road less taken" reflected the challenges participants faced during training, which led to relatively few geriatricians for the growing number of older adults in Canada. Despite these challenges, participants described rewarding careers and encouraged trainees to consider the profession. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:26:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f9bc77b112674d14987c188e04c9bedc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:26:15Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-f9bc77b112674d14987c188e04c9bedc2023-07-22T05:31:45ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-01187e028785710.1371/journal.pone.0287857Perspectives and experiences of the first geriatricians trained in Canada.Eric Kai-Chung WongAlexander DayMaria ZorzittoJoanna E M SaleMany Canadian-trained geriatricians from the subspecialty's first decade of existence continue to practice today. The objective of this study was to examine the experiences and perspectives of the earliest cohort of geriatricians in Canada. Using qualitative description method, we conducted semi-structured interviews to explore participants' experiences in training and practice. We included geriatricians who trained in Canada between 1980-1989 and were in active clinical practice as of October 2021. Each transcript was coded independently by two investigators. Thematic analysis was used to develop key themes. Fourteen participants (43% female, mean years in practice 35.9) described their choice to enter geriatric medicine, their training process, the roles of a geriatrician, challenges facing the profession and advice for trainees. Two themes were developed from the data: (i) advocacy for the older adult and (ii) geriatrics as "the road less taken". Advocacy was described as the "core mission" of a geriatrician. Participants discussed the importance of advocacy in clinical practice, education, research and disseminating geriatric principles in the health system and society. "The road less taken" reflected the challenges participants faced during training, which led to relatively few geriatricians for the growing number of older adults in Canada. Despite these challenges, participants described rewarding careers and encouraged trainees to consider the profession.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287857 |
| spellingShingle | Eric Kai-Chung Wong Alexander Day Maria Zorzitto Joanna E M Sale Perspectives and experiences of the first geriatricians trained in Canada. PLoS ONE |
| title | Perspectives and experiences of the first geriatricians trained in Canada. |
| title_full | Perspectives and experiences of the first geriatricians trained in Canada. |
| title_fullStr | Perspectives and experiences of the first geriatricians trained in Canada. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perspectives and experiences of the first geriatricians trained in Canada. |
| title_short | Perspectives and experiences of the first geriatricians trained in Canada. |
| title_sort | perspectives and experiences of the first geriatricians trained in canada |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287857 |
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