Why did you #ChooseGeriatrics? We want to hear the personal stories behind careers in older people's healthcare. What motivates and inspires you? Has your career taken an unexpected path? What patients or situations stay with you, and provide a constant reminder about why you do your job?
At this year's BGS Spring Meeting, some of our amazing members took the time to stop and share what they love about geriatric medicine, and why they find the specialty so interesting and rewarding. You can find out what they said by watching the video on this page. But this is just the beginning.
There are more than 5,000 members of our global BGS community, committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care to older people across care settings and professions, in all four corners of the UK and beyond.
We know there are hundreds more stories still waiting to be told.
Why not tell yours?
Why did you #ChooseGeriatrics?
What's your story?
If you're not sure what kind of thing to share, here are some suggestions to get you started:
'Who inspired me'
Tell us about a person - maybe a colleague, mentor, patient or grandparent - who left a mark and influenced your career choice working with older adults. Perhaps a specific interaction or encounter stays with you, and you want to talk about it.
'My journey to geriatrics'
Maybe you qualified as a physio and found you loved working with older people, and then became an advanced clinical practitioner; maybe you're a pharmacist who decided that desprescribing excited you more than dispensing. Perhaps you had your heart set on paediatrics but your rotation in geriatric medicine captured your heart and now you're a specialty trainee. Maybe you're a nurse whose experiences have led you to specialise in frailty, or a GP who has found their niche working in care homes. Your journey is unique and we'd love to hear more about it.
'A day in the life'
What does a typical day look like in your role? Do you work in acute care, the community, or a combination of both? Do you work less than full time, or maybe combine clinical work with research or teaching? What does your multidisciplinary team look like, and where do you fit in? Who do you meet and what difference do you make?
'Making a difference'
Let people know why your skills, and those of the wider multiprofessional team, are so valuable for delivering quality healthcare for older people. Can you convince a policy-maker or commissioner about the value of older people's services and the skills of those who work in them? How would you explain to a non-specialist that learning more about older people and frailty will enrich the care they can provide?
'Take five'
List five things you love about geriatrics and working with older people. You could even involve colleagues and share these as a group.
How to share your story
There are various opportunities to tell your #ChooseGeriatrics story.
- Write for the BGS blog
Blog contributions are typically around 300-400 words and can include text, photos and links. For further information, click here. We will use these to share via social media using the hashtag #ChooseGeriatrics, as well as in our e-bulletins, and in our campaign materials.
- Record a video
We'd love members to tell their stories on camera, perhaps in their workplace or in collaboration with colleagues. Guidance about recording a video can be found here. Alternatively, seek out a member of the BGS team when attending one of our events in person, or when visiting BGS HQ at Marjory Warren House in London.
- Write an article for AGENDA
Contributions to AGENDA, our membership magazine, are typically around 800-1,200 words. They could be in the format of a 'day in the life' article, an interview, opinion piece or photographic feature - or any other format that conveys what your job means to you and your patients. See further information on this page.
- Speak at an event
Word of mouth is a powerful tool to spread the word about the value of older people's healthcare and the value of becoming a BGS member. If you'd like to speak at a BGS event, please email registrations@bgs.org.uk. If you're interested in telling your story at your own event (for example, an educational event at your workplace or a careers fair) please get in touch at membership@bgs.org.uk. To see a full list of our upcoming in person, online and hybrid events, click here.
- Become an ambassador
Find out more about #ChooseGeriatrics ambassador opportunities here.
