Tips for Recruiting Residents into Geriatrics Fellowship Programs

Identify and contact prospects early Make a point of reviewing incoming interns' personal statements, looking for any mention of an interest in geriatrics, older adults or aging, prior experience at nursing homes, etc. Call interns who've expressed even a slight interest (calling is more effective than emailing) and offer them the opportunity to work with a mentor in the field, to join or start a geriatrics journal club or resident chapter of the American Geriatrics Society, and to attend related on-campus events

Provide intensive mentoring Meet with mentees regularly. Consider informal meetings, e.g., over a meal, as well as more formal ones. If you come across an interesting study or report on the field, email it to mentees, or put copies in their mailboxes.

Highlight clinical cases of interest Point out interesting geriatrics cases in clinic. You'll be sharing the challenges and excitement of caring for older patients with your mentees.

Assist with projects focusing on geriatrics Encourage mentees to develop posters and papers concerning geriatrics, and offer advice and assistance with these.

Encourage mentees to submit their papers and posters for presentation at conferences The American Geriatrics Society's Annual Scientific Meeting now includes a residents-only poster session. Residents can also submit for presentation during the general poster session.

Help cover the cost of attending national conferences Supporting attendance at a scientific meeting devoted to aging and health is a low cost way to expose potential recruits to the many and varied opportunities a background in geriatrics affords. It also gives them an opportunity to meet, get to know, and share an enthusiasm for caring for older patients with peers who share enthusiasm for the field. These experiences have cinched the decision to pursue careers in geriatrics for many a resident.