Post-Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Medicine (P.G.D.G.M.) Programme is a one-year Diploma Programme of 32 credits (14 credits in theory and 18 credits in practical). This programme was launched in January, 2004. The number of study centres activated at present are 21.

This Programme aims at equipping the practicing doctors with knowledge and skills in the field of Geriatric Medicine and enable them to deal with the special problems faced by the elderly. With increasing life expectancy, the proportion of elderly population is fast increasing. Aging is inevitable and irreversible. The epidemiology and the clinical features of diseases vary in this age group and drug dosages and interactions also differ. Geriatric management requires not only medical interventions, but also special economic and environmental interventions. This programme aims at not only enhancing the knowledge but also multiskilling the doctors so that they can provide primary-level care to the elderly.

The broad objectives of the Programme are to:

• Upgrade the knowledge and skills for providing comprehensive healthcare to elderly;
• Inculcate the inter-disciplinary approach for diagnosing and management of geriatric health problems;
• Improve the clinical, social and communication skills by providing hands on training in medical colleges and district hospitals.