40th anniversary of the German Society of Geriatrics (DGG)—In demand, matured, strengthened: History of the DGG concerning scientific and professional political aspects 40 Jahre Deutsche Gesellschaft für Geriatrie (DGG) – gefragt, gereift, gestärkt: Geschichte der DGG unter wissenschaftlichen und fachpolitischen Aspekten
Hofmann W, Grund S, Wirth R, Bauer JM, Heppner HJ, Thiem U, Becher K, Benzinger P, Gaßmann KG, Gosch M, Hardt R, Krause O, Kolb G, Kwetkat A, Meisel M, Naurath HJ, Nehen HG, Neubart R, Lucke C, Lüttje D, Püllen R, Schulz RJ, Sieber C, Singler K, Swoboda W, Vogel W, Werner H, Denkinger M (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article, Review article
Publication year: 2025
Journal
DOI: 10.1007/s00391-025-02460-2
Abstract
The German Society of Geriatrics (DGG) celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025. It was founded in 1985 to position geriatrics in science and policy, to disseminate knowledge, to establish a geriatric specialist status and to establish an independent field of geriatric medicine in diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation. How did it achieve these goals? For this three methods were used: (1) semi-structured and open interviews (n = 28), (2) a very comprehensive source study with identification of 4 milestones based on historical ethnography, and (3) a content analysis of all protocols of general meetings (n = 36) over 40 years. The DGG has achieved nearly all of its goals, and more. It has independently developed evidence in the areas of nutrition, geriatric traumatology and assessment. Through its excellent international network, scientific excellence can be found within the DGG; however, the goal of establishing a geriatric specialist has not been achieved. Only a specialist area such as geriatrics within the DGG can meet the complex needs of older people.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg
Germany (DE)
Agaplesion Bethesda Klinik
Germany (DE)
St. Marien-Hospital
Germany (DE)
Klinikum Osnabrück
Germany (DE)
Kantonsspital Winterthur (KSW)
Switzerland (CH)
Klinikum Bayreuth
Germany (DE)
Klinik Wartenberg
Germany (DE)
Malteser Waldkrankenhaus St. Marien
Germany (DE)
Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Germany (DE)
Zentrum für Medizin im Alter
Germany (DE)
St. Bonifatius Hospital
Germany (DE)
St. Elisabeth Gruppe GmbH - Katholische Kliniken Rhein-Ruhr
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Agaplesion Bethesda Klinik
Germany (DE)
St. Marien-Hospital
Germany (DE)
Klinikum Osnabrück
Germany (DE)
Kantonsspital Winterthur (KSW)
Switzerland (CH)
Klinikum Bayreuth
Germany (DE)
Klinik Wartenberg
Germany (DE)
Malteser Waldkrankenhaus St. Marien
Germany (DE)
Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Germany (DE)
Zentrum für Medizin im Alter
Germany (DE)
St. Bonifatius Hospital
Germany (DE)
St. Elisabeth Gruppe GmbH - Katholische Kliniken Rhein-Ruhr
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Hofmann, W., Grund, S., Wirth, R., Bauer, J.M., Heppner, H.J., Thiem, U.,... Denkinger, M. (2025). 40th anniversary of the German Society of Geriatrics (DGG)—In demand, matured, strengthened: History of the DGG concerning scientific and professional political aspects 40 Jahre Deutsche Gesellschaft für Geriatrie (DGG) – gefragt, gereift, gestärkt: Geschichte der DGG unter wissenschaftlichen und fachpolitischen Aspekten. Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-025-02460-2
MLA:
Hofmann, W., et al. "40th anniversary of the German Society of Geriatrics (DGG)—In demand, matured, strengthened: History of the DGG concerning scientific and professional political aspects 40 Jahre Deutsche Gesellschaft für Geriatrie (DGG) – gefragt, gereift, gestärkt: Geschichte der DGG unter wissenschaftlichen und fachpolitischen Aspekten." Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie (2025).
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