European Union Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS)

In the 1990’s it became increasingly clear that there was a need for a European focus to support and promote the concept of specialist healthcare for older people in the European Union. In particular, a focus was needed for specific research into how the presentation of illness in later life differed from that of younger adults, and what methods might be most effective in terms of patient-focused services, both in for the patient and for health services regarding costs and personnel.

Mission:
• To develop geriatric medicine in Europe as an independent specialty caring for older people with age-related disease.
• To support that these services become available to all European citizens.
• To support the development of health services suitable for an ageing population.
• To promote education and continuing professional development, and in particular an annual scientific meeting In conjunction with the Section of Geriatric Medicine of the UEMS, to promote geriatric medicine to the European Commission and Parliament.
• To promote evidence-based consensus for the most efficacious preventive and treatment strategies for older people in Europe.

History:
In 1999 a group of geriatricians met to promote the concept of a society whose aim would be to to develop geriatric medicine in all of the European Union countries and encourage the provision of geriatric medical services to all older EU citizens. It would promote education, continuing professional development and high quality evidence-based geriatric medicine.