Current status of family physicians’ practices in geriatric medicine and associated factors in the Republic of Korea: A cross-sectional study

The importance of geriatric medicine has grown significantly in recent years. This study aims to assess the current practices of family physicians in geriatric medicine in the Republic of Korea. This cross-sectional study employed online surveys targeting family medicine physicians. The questionnaire focused on the primary treatment areas of the physicians and the percentage of elderly patients in their practices. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed to interpret the data. The average age of participants was 42.6 years, with 68.2% identifying as male. Regression analysis identified several factors significantly associated with the proportion of geriatric patients, including physician age (P = .007), rural practice location (P = .001), employment in general hospitals (P = .012), work in geriatric hospitals (P < .001), involvement in hospice/palliative care (P < .001), and provision of pain/physiotherapy services (P < .001). The role of primary care in promoting healthy aging and longevity needs to be enhanced. It is crucial to cultivate primary care physicians who can lead in geriatric medicine and strengthen the essential role of primary physicians within the community healthcare system.