Geriatrics is rewarding but lacks earning potential and prestige: responses from the national medical student survey of attitudes to and perceptions of geriatric medicine

A survey of UK geriatricians conducted in 2005 showed that only 4% had chosen their specialty while at university. However, recent changes to UK postgraduate training mean that doctors are expected to form career plans earlier, starting while undergraduates. Attitudes and perceptions about geriatric medicine formed by medical students are therefore increasingly important. Here, Robbins et al describe attitudes to, and perceptions of, geriatric medicine among the students of all UK medical schools.