What does a Geriatrician do? – Tasks and Work Environment
A Geriatrician is a specialist doctor focusing on the care of elderly patients and their specific medical needs. The main tasks involve investigating, diagnosing, and treating common age-related diseases such as dementia, cardiovascular diseases, and multimorbidity. The work often involves collaboration with other healthcare professionals such as nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers to create a comprehensive assessment of the patient's health and living situation. Geriatricians primarily work in hospital geriatrics departments, outpatient clinics, or municipal nursing homes, where the work environment is characterized by a fast pace, complex medical cases, and frequent contact with relatives.
Salary development over time
Geriatrician salaries have increased significantly over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 86,400 SEK per month, which rose to 92 200 SEK in 2023 and reached 93 600 SEK in 2024. This represents an increase of approximately 8.3% over three years. The salary development reflects a continued high demand for specialist doctors in geriatrics, driven by an aging population and increasing healthcare needs. Additionally, recruitment difficulties and competition for experienced doctors push salaries higher. Regional differences may exist, but the overall trend is a stable and positive salary growth for the profession.
Geriatrician salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 93 600 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 84,600 SEK/month (men), 91,200 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 110,600 SEK/month (men), 101,500 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage: 563 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 98% of what men do (92 900 SEK vs 94 300 SEK)
- Regional differences: Salary levels can vary depending on region and employer, but demand is generally high nationwide.
Geriatricians often work in multidisciplinary teams where collaboration with other specialists and healthcare staff is crucial to providing the best possible care for elderly patients. The ability to communicate clearly and work solution-focused is therefore a central part of the profession.
Education and Qualifications
To work as a Geriatrician, a medical degree followed by specialist training in geriatrics is required. The educational path is long and comprehensive, involving several years of university studies, clinical practice, and further training. Particular emphasis is placed on clinical experience in internal medicine and elderly care, as well as good knowledge in managing complex patient cases.
- Medical program: 6 years (360 credits) at university
- Internship (AT): approximately 18–21 months
- Specialist training (ST) in geriatrics: at least 5 years
- Licensing: Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare requirements after completing internship and approved exams
- Further education: Opportunities for specialization in areas such as dementia or palliative care
Common Benefits and Compensation
A Geriatrician often has access to benefits such as occupational pension, generous vacation policies, flexitime, and opportunities for further training during working hours. Other common compensations include overtime pay, wellness allowances, and sometimes additional benefits related to recruitment bonuses or professional development.
Competition and Challenges
The competition for positions as a Geriatrician is low, as the demand for specialist doctors in elderly care is significantly higher than the supply. An aging population and increasing requirements for geriatrics skills drive the need for more trained professionals in the field. Despite good job opportunities, challenges include high workloads, complex patient cases, and occasional difficulties recruiting in less populated areas. The work environment can be demanding, especially emotionally, as many patients have extensive care needs and relatives require support. At the same time, the profession offers great opportunities for development, research, and leadership.
Tips for aspiring Geriatricians
To succeed as a Geriatrician, it is beneficial to have a genuine interest in elderly health and a high level of empathy. Precision is essential, as patients often have multiple simultaneous illnesses and medications that need to be balanced. Strong communication skills facilitate collaboration with colleagues and relatives, and flexibility is needed to handle rapidly changing care situations. Good analytical abilities help interpret complex symptoms and find appropriate treatment strategies, and patience is important to support patients and relatives through long care processes. It is recommended to seek internships in elderly care early and actively participate in continuing education to build specialist knowledge. Engagement and responsibility are highly valued qualities in the role of Geriatrician.
Key facts about Geriatricians
- Educational level: Medical degree + specialist training (at least 12 years total)
- Work environment: Hospitals, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes
- Typical working hours: Full-time, often daytime but on-call work also occurs
- Demand: Very high, especially in the public sector
- Special skills: Multimorbidity, dementia, and palliative care
Career paths and future outlook
After three to five years as a Geriatrician, there are good opportunities to advance to leadership roles such as chief physician or department head within geriatrics. Further development in research, teaching, or subspecialization in areas such as dementia is also common. Employment forecasts indicate very good job prospects, expected to increase further over the next five years, mainly due to an aging population and growing healthcare needs. The recruitment situation is characterized by combined challenges: a shortage of experienced Geriatricians and high turnover within the profession. The number of available positions is large, providing flexibility and options for those wishing to work in the field.
Frequently asked questions about Geriatricians
- What is the average salary of a Geriatrician?
- A Geriatrician has an average salary of 93 600 SEK per month.
- How long is the training to become a Geriatrician?
- The training takes at least 12 years, including medical school, internship, and specialist training.
- Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn approximately 98% of what men do in the profession.
- What are the most common workplaces for Geriatricians?
- Common workplaces include hospital geriatrics departments, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes.
- What are the future prospects for Geriatricians?
- Demand is very high and expected to increase in the coming years.
- What is the highest and lowest salary for a Geriatrician?
- The highest salary is 110,600 SEK (men) and 101,500 SEK (women); the lowest is 84,600 SEK (men) and 91,200 SEK (women).
- What personal qualities are important for Geriatricians?
- Empathy, meticulousness, and good teamwork skills are especially valued qualities.
