The significance of medical gerontologic education in preservation of functional ability of geriatric patient

Significant part of medical gerontologic education is continuing professional education primarily of general practitioners in diagnostics, specific treatment of the elderly, rehabilitation and prevention of diseases in old age as well as preservation of functional abilities of geriatric patient by stimulating the active relation of an elderly for preserving his/her health. Regular professional improvement in health gerontology is realized through organizations of Gerontologic Lectures within regular gerontological activities of the Zagreb Institute of Public Health, Center for Gerontology. Educational significance of Gerontologic Lecture is in its connection of constant education of primary health care physicians and other experts on specific forms of health care for the elderly together with the development and promotion of this care and rational geriatric health expenditure, the final result of which is satisfaction of the needs of the elderly. Constant geriatric education of primary health care physicians as well as other experts in care of the elderly rationality and efficacy of health care of the elderly can be influenced as well as promotion of health care of total population because of implementation of the Program of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of the elderly. Scientific insight on aging and age are constantly and rapidly increasing and changing in the developed world and therefore education in gerontology and geriatrics has special significance. The book Gerontologic health-statistical annual for Croatia 2001/2002 was published by the Center for Gerontology, Zagreb Institute for Public Health. Gerontologic annual represent an analytical evolutionary study with 517 pages which gives answers without which there can be no reform and development of the Croatian health with the aim to satisfy objectively established health needs of the Croatian elderly population. This annual is also an educational book that gives integral and comprehensive outline of characteristics of demographic structure of aging, mortality and morbidity with the aim to promote health protection and health care with established indicators of risk factors of aging and functional ability of Croatian old population.