Professional Certificate of Geriatric Medicine

Learn to recognise clinical health changes in older patients to improve opportunities for prevention and early treatment.

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Professional Certificate of Geriatric Medicine

CPD

37 hrs Education
48 hrs Performance
8.5 hrs Outcome

Delivery

Fully online
Learn from
anywhere

Duration

85 hours
Self-paced
Start anytime

Overview

GPs are often ideally placed to focus on prevention and early-stage identification of chronic health problems in older patients — a common presentation in general practice. Leverage your knowledge of patients' social context and medical history to deliver high-quality primary care to your patients aged 65+.

Who it is for and what you will learn:

Effectively manage age-related health issues of the growing ageing population.
Address the complex medical needs of geriatric patients who often present with multiple comorbidities.
Provide comprehensive care that enhances your patients' quality of life and social, psychological, and functional wellbeing.
This course is for medical doctors, International Medical Graduates, registered nurses, and degree-qualified health professionals.
CPD-accredited and university-reviewed.

Your education pathway

Professional Certificate

Establish foundational clinical knowledge and essential skills.

You are here

Advanced Certificate

Develop advanced techniques and diagnostic capabilities.

Learn more

Professional Diploma

Master complex cases and achieve high-level clinical proficiency.

Learn more

Course contents

Diagnosing Dementia

The "Diagnosing Dementia" course offers healthcare professionals comprehensive training in the early detection, diagnosis, and management of dementia. Covering the most common types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia, this course equips practitioners with essential skills to assess cognitive decline and use various diagnostic tools. Practical insights into investigations, screening methods, and case studies prepare participants to handle dementia-related cases with confidence, ensuring better patient outcomes.

Osteoporosis

The "Osteoporosis" course is a comprehensive program designed for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of osteoporosis diagnosis, management, and prevention. Covering topics such as bone physiology, fracture risk assessment, and the latest pharmacological treatments, this course equips practitioners with the tools to effectively treat osteoporosis in different populations, including men, women, and younger patients. Through evidence-based guidance, participants will learn how to assess bone health, implement preventive measures, and manage osteoporosis in clinical practice to reduce fracture risk and improve patient outcomes.

Falls in the Elderly

Enhance your ability to prevent and manage falls in the elderly with this evidence-based course. Designed for healthcare professionals, this comprehensive program covers fall risk screening, assessment, and personalised management strategies. Learn to identify intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors, use validated screening tools, and develop prevention plans that include environmental modifications, medication reviews, and exercise programs. Gain insights into effective community and clinical interventions to reduce falls and improve patient outcomes. Ideal for those aiming to provide proactive, patient-centred care for an aging population.

Polypharmacy and how to manage it

"Polypharmacy and How to Manage It" is an essential course for healthcare professionals aiming to optimise medication use in older adults. Covering prescribing principles, medication reviews, and deprescribing strategies, this evidence-based course addresses the challenges of polypharmacy and its associated risks, such as adverse drug reactions and decreased quality of life. Presented by Dr. Kate Moriarty, the course equips practitioners with practical tools to enhance medication safety and improve patient outcomes.

Depression in the Elderly

The "Depression in the Elderly" course is designed for healthcare professionals to effectively recognize, diagnose, and manage depression in older adults. The course covers risk factors, diagnostic tools, and treatment strategies, including both psychological and pharmaceutical approaches. With a focus on the unique challenges faced by elderly patients, participants will explore best practices for managing comorbid conditions and addressing the increased risk of depression in this population. Through case studies and evidence-based practices, this course equips practitioners with the tools needed to improve mental health outcomes for elderly patients.

Nutrition in the Elderly

The "Nutrition in the Elderly" course is designed for healthcare professionals who want to deepen their understanding of the unique nutritional needs of older adults. This course covers the physiological changes of aging, undernutrition, obesity, and dementia, offering evidence-based strategies for promoting healthy eating habits in the elderly. Participants will gain practical tools to assess and manage nutritional issues, helping to improve the quality of life for elderly patients in both community and clinical settings.

Aged care services and residential aged care

The "Aged Care Services and Residential Aged Care" course is tailored for healthcare professionals involved in elderly care. It provides an in-depth understanding of supporting elderly patients in both community and residential settings. Through case studies and best practice guidelines, participants will learn to navigate government-subsidised services, transition patients to residential aged care, and provide ongoing medical care. This comprehensive course empowers practitioners to improve the quality of life for the elderly, with a focus on patient-centred care and effective family communication.

Palliative care – the essentials

"Palliative Care – The Essentials" provides healthcare professionals with key skills to deliver compassionate and effective palliative care. This course covers symptom management, pain control, gastrointestinal care, and communication strategies to address patient and family needs during end-of-life care. Participants will learn evidence-based approaches for managing common symptoms such as pain, nausea, dyspnea, fatigue, and mood disturbances. Through practical case studies, this course empowers clinicians to offer comprehensive care that prioritizes patient comfort and quality of life in palliative settings.

Meet your instructors

Dr Paige Darlington MBBS FRACGP Diploma in Child Health

Dr Sharon Sykes MBBS BAppSc FRACGP

Dr Kate Moriarty FRACGP

Course Chair Assoc. Professor Debbie Kors MBBS (first class honours)

Dr Elizabeth Ryrie MBBS FRACGP Bachelor of Arts and Sciences DCH

Dr Christine Ahern MBBS FRACGP

Dr Valia Francis FRACGP MBBS BSci(Neuroscience) DCH DRCOG

Course Chair Assoc. Professor Debbie Kors MBBS (first class honours)

FROM

$1695

Payment plans, special rates and bundle savings available

University-assured and CPD-accredited
Structured pathways for real-world practice
Led by recognised clinicians
Lifetime access to course materials

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By enrolling, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Prices are in AUD. For Australian residents, online course prices exclude GST: 10% GST is added at checkout unless you enter a valid ABN.

Workshop

Complete your certificate online, then build practical skills in the accompanying optional hands-on workshop.

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Short courses

Study selected topics from this certificate as focused, standalone short courses for targeted upskilling in under 10 hours.

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HealthCert 365

Access selected content from this certificate, plus 4,000+ hours of other CPD across a wide range of clinical areas.

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CPD accreditation and course details

CPD Accreditation and Activities

Accredited CPD activities in this certificate

Each module in this certificate is an RACGP and ACRRM approved CPD activity. The certificate provides 50 hours of CPD for medical professionals in Australia.*

RACGP Activity Number	ACRRM Activity Number	Activity Title	Education Hours	Performance Hours
447459	38170	Diagnosing Dementia	5.0	6.0
447501	38175	Osteoporosis	4.0	6.0
447473	38171	Falls in the Elderly	4.0	6.0
447487	38174	Polypharmacy and how to manage it	4.0	6.0
447518	38179	Depression in the Elderly	6.0	6.0
447527	38180	Nutrition in the Elderly	4.0	6.0
447539	38181	Aged care services and residential aged care	5.0	6.0
447511	38177	Palliative care – the essentials	5.0	6.0
Total hours			37.0	48.0

*When the optional outcome measurement activity (minimum 5 hours) is completed. See our FAQs for more information about annual CPD requirements.

View the CPD Hours for all HealthCert Education activities.

Outcome measurement

The purpose of outcome measurement activities is to improve your clinical confidence in managing an identified learning gap. Outcome measurement activities are not a requirement of our Professional Certificate of Advanced Certificate courses; they are a requirement for Australian CPD purposes.

HealthCert Education provides a variety of outcome measurements activities to suit your needs:

Outcome Improvement Activities relating to specific topics within a course. They are designed to examine current clinical care, align clinical practice with best practice standards, and identify opportunities for improvement. These activities are accredited with RACGP and ACRRM.
Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) options on a specific topic or your identified area. A generic template and guides are provided. PDSAs are self-submitted activities.
Additional activities with guides include Test Measurement, Pathology Results, Practice Meetings, Peer Review, Practice Accreditation, Project Management, Student Supervision, and Pick your own topics (General Practice and Log Book methods). These are self-submitted activities.

Entry Requirements

The Professional Certificate of Geriatric Medicine is tailored for medical professionals who wish to learn how to improve outcomes for elderly patients seen in general practice.

This qualification is the first stage of the Professional Diploma of Geriatric Medicine. There are no prerequisites.

Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing English is assumed.

Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.

Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)

Professionally recognised qualifications and prior studies may be recognised for entry into this course if the learning outcomes match exactly. Please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience.

Certification

This certificate course meets the minimum 50 hours CPD annual requirement across all three mandatory CPD activity types, provided an outcome measurement activity with a minimum of five hours is completed. You may use an optional HealthCert outcome measurement activity or develop your own.

Outcome measurement activities are not a requirement of Professional or Advanced Certificates.

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Professional Certificate of Geriatric Medicine and CPD hours.

This certificate course:

Is reviewed by Griffith University to comply with RACGP and ACRRM standards.
Qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
Qualifies for CPD hours from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
Is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP).
Is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). The HKCFP recognises all courses endorsed by the RACGP. Hours are calculated differently.
Is a self-submitted activity in Dubai. The number of CPD hours must be stated on the certificate. Contact PLD@dhcr.gov.ae for more information.
Is a self-submitted activity in the UK. CPD events overseas, applicable to a doctor’s scope of practice, may be submitted for revalidation. Please confirm with your Responsible Officer.
Is a self-submitted activity in Canada through the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Contact mainprocredits@cfpc.ca for more information.
Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.
Has been independently developed with subject experts and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.

To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit our FAQs.

Pathways

Professional Diploma Pathway

This course is the first stage of the three-part professional diploma pathway. The full pathway is: Professional Certificate of Geriatric Medicine, Advanced Certificate of Geriatric Medicine, Professional Diploma of Geriatric Medicine.

What are the costs and payment options of the course?

Fees will vary based on the program and study option selected (fully online vs online + optional practical workshop). Payments can be made upfront or in monthly instalments. Special rates and various payment options are available. GP registrars and doctors in training enjoy a scholarship of up to $500. Talk to us to learn more.

What is the Alumni Support Program?

Completion of any HealthCert course or attendance at an event will enable you to access the HealthCert Alumni Program which includes:

Access to special alumni rates for new courses when they are released.
Special alumni price for HealthCert Conferences.
Exclusive advanced access to HealthCert events.
Regular Alumni Webinars pertaining to the course(s) you have attended. These will provide content review of the course and an opportunity to discuss case studies.
Access to the video lectures as seen during the course(s) that you have attended.

How will I receive my certificate?

HealthCert Education is pleased to issue digital credentials for alumni. Digital credentials are a permanent online record of your successful completion of a HealthCert course and are issued to all course participants in addition to PDF certificates. If you are based in Australia, you also have the option to order a hard copy of your digital certificate for a small additional fee.

How long will the course take to complete?

The recommended study duration of this certificate course is listed at the top of this page. The estimated duration includes study of the pre-course activities and readings, online lectures, live tutorials, and online assessment. This self-paced course offers the flexibility of 100% online study in your own time, at your own pace, in your own home or office, with no mandatory face-to-face requirements. You are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay video lectures at your convenience.

Is this course recognised in my country?

All HealthCert courses meet World Federation of Medical Education standards. This certificate course qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) in Australia. It is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) in New Zealand. It is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP) in China. It is a self-submitted activity in Dubai and the United Kingdom. It is a self-submitted activity through the College of Family Physicians in Canada. If you live or work outside one of the above-mentioned countries, please contact us on admin@healthcert.com to discuss whether this course can be recognised in your country.

Cancellation policy: What happens if I can't attend a practical workshop?

Course/workshop cancellations and transfers policy

Should you be unable to attend a course or practical workshop you have registered for, please inform us asap at admin@healthcert.com so we can make your place available to waitlisted doctors.

Charges may apply for course/workshop cancellations and/or transfers. Click here for details.

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Professional Certificate of Geriatric Medicine

Overview