"How EuGMS Shaped My Career – And Can Shape Yours Too": Part 2 is out! Continuing the Conversation with Prof Gulistan Bahat
- secretariat012
- Jul 14
- 5 min read
Authors: Zelal Sahin Tirnova & Ezgi Pinar
EuGMS ECGI Blog Working Group Leaders
Affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics
We continue our insightful dialogue with Prof. Dr. Bahat—here are the final three questions:
4. Why is it important for early-career geriatricians to engage with the EuGMS? What academic and career development opportunities does EuGMS offer for junior colleagues, particularly in academia?
Throughout my career, EuGMS has played a central role in my academic development. It offers a wide range of opportunities—not only for gaining knowledge but also for career advancement. One of the most valuable aspects is the access to mentorship. Within EuGMS, I’ve had the chance to connect with mentors who supported me during times of uncertainty, guided me in shaping research ideas, and helped me improve my studies. Their encouragement and insight made a real difference.
EuGMS is a very welcoming organization. It embraces geriatricians from all over Europe and beyond, offering practical tools, educational opportunities, and platforms for collaboration. The EuGMS Annual Congress is a key example. As a member of the academic board and part of the scientific committee, I’ve seen first-hand how much effort goes into selecting topics that are both clinically relevant and research-driven. The Congress brings together cutting-edge studies and experts in areas that are most pressing for our field.
But what truly makes EuGMS unique is the ease of access to senior academics. Through the Congress, webinars, and working groups, early-career geriatricians can connect with leaders whose work they may have read and admired. In my own experience, whenever I reached out to discuss research questions, data interpretation, or just to ask for advice, I was met with kindness and openness. These connections were—and continue to be—invaluable.
EuGMS also offers structured academic opportunities. One notable example is the Early Career Geriatricians Initiative (ECGI), which supports young professionals through projects, workshops, and initiatives like the Rotation Programme. This programme allows early-career geriatricians to visit more established geriatrics centers in other countries, observe different practices, and broaden their clinical perspective. Even outside of formal programmes, simply reaching out to a mentor through EuGMS can open doors. I once contacted a well-known geriatrician because I was interested in palliative care, and she not only offered to mentor me but even extended a personal invitation to stay with her if I visited. Although I couldn’t take up the offer, the gesture speaks volumes about the spirit of collegiality within EuGMS.
Another important point is peer networking. Engaging with other early-career geriatricians allows you to exchange experiences, learn from each other’s successes and mistakes, and better understand the practical challenges across different settings. These relationships often turn into long-term collaborations and friendships.
To sum up, EuGMS has been at the heart of my academic journey. It provides a space to grow, connect, and contribute—making it an essential community for any early-career geriatrician aiming to make a meaningful impact in the field.
5. Considering the growing needs of aging populations, what kind of initiatives or reforms do you think could help make geriatrics a more attractive specialty for future physicians?
That’s a tough question—but also a crucial one. As the world population ages, the specific needs of older adults are becoming more visible. Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) are already responding to this shift with strategies like ICOPE (Integrated Care for Older People), which emphasizes preserving intrinsic capacity and promoting healthy aging.
Globally, we're witnessing that standard, organ-based medical approaches often fall short when it comes to older adults. In some cases, these approaches may even cause harm. This highlights a major opportunity for geriatric medicine. Our role is to demonstrate that a geriatric approach—one that considers the whole patient—leads to better, more meaningful clinical outcomes.
To make geriatrics a more attractive specialty, we need to continue producing and promoting evidence that shows how comprehensive geriatric care improves quality of life, functional status, and in some cases, even survival. For example, we now have studies showing that aggressive blood pressure control may actually be harmful for frail older adults. These insights are powerful—they show that the geriatric perspective is not only different, but necessary.
We must also draw attention to underrecognized geriatric syndromes, such as malnutrition, falls, cognitive decline, and incontinence—problems that are often unasked about, undocumented, and untreated. By showing how addressing these syndromes improves outcomes, we strengthen the case for geriatric medicine.
Beyond academic and clinical evidence, there’s also a policy dimension. I’m not an expert in health policy, but I believe that when we clearly demonstrate the value of geriatrics—when we show that it works—systems and institutions will respond. For instance, in Türkiye, we’re beginning to see universities inviting geriatricians to establish departments, and political awareness around aging populations is increasing. There’s a growing recognition that spending on older adults is both necessary and cost-effective.
Ultimately, by engaging with policymakers, and by continuing to advocate with data and real-world impact, we can build stronger systems that not only support older adults but also make geriatrics a respected, essential, and attractive career choice for future physicians.
6. Looking ahead, imagine the field of geriatrics 10 years from now—what topics do you envision geriatricians across Europe will be studying or prioritizing in their clinical and academic work?
Looking 10 years into the future, I believe geriatrics—like many other medical specialties—will be strongly influenced by artificial intelligence (AI) and telemedicine. These technologies are already transforming healthcare, and their integration into geriatrics will be essential. AI-supported diagnostic tools, treatment algorithms, and decision-support systems will likely become routine in the care of older adults. Equipping ourselves to use these technologies effectively will be a major focus.
When it comes to clinical priorities, I don't think the core subjects will change drastically. Challenges such as cognitive impairment, dementia, delirium, frailty, sarcopenia, polypharmacy, and disability have been central to geriatrics for decades—and they will likely remain so. However, as life expectancy continues to increase, the burden of cognitive disorders may become even more prominent. These conditions will require greater attention both in research and in daily practice.
Moreover, care settings may shift. There will be more emphasis on delivering geriatric care outside the hospital—in community settings, at home, or via digital platforms. Telemedicine will likely expand, especially for follow-up care, routine monitoring, and even remote geriatric assessments.
In short, while the core concerns of geriatrics will likely remain the same, the methods we use to address them—particularly through AI and digital health—will evolve significantly. I believe these innovations will ultimately benefit older adults and improve the accessibility and quality of care.
And finally, thank you very much for inviting me to this interview. I truly hope our conversation will be helpful for your career and for others interested in the field. It’s been a pleasure.
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