Established in 1988, the Department of Geriatrics at First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University is a comprehensive clinical unit that integrates medical care, teaching, research, and rehabilitation. The department serves as a graduate degree awarding point for both master’s and doctoral programs in geriatric medicine and it also operates as a postdoctoral research station. It has been designated as a key clinical specialty in geriatric medicine by the National Health Commission and functions as a standardized training base for geriatric specialists by the National Health Commission. Additionally, it is recognized as a clinical drug trial base for geriatric diseases, a Ministry of Health high-quality nursing demonstration ward, the West China-Chongqing Subcenter of the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and an Advanced Cognitive Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment Center under the National Health Commission. The department is also a teaching and training base for geriatric nursing professionals under the Chinese Nursing Association (for training outside Beijing), a key discipline of the Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, a key medical discipline of the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission, the Clinical Quality Control Center for Geriatrics in Chongqing, and a clinical nutrition implementation demonstration base for geriatrics. Additionally, it serves as the chair unit for both the Chongqing Geriatric Medicine Alliance and the Chongqing Geriatric Nursing Alliance, and acts as the chairman unit for the Geriatrics Professional Committee of the Chongqing Hospital Association, the Geriatric Nursing Professional Committee of the Chongqing Nursing Association, and the Geriatrics Health and Rehabilitation Professional Committee of the Chongqing Gerontological Society.
The department places a high priority on clinical medical care, scientific research, discipline development, and talent training in the field of geriatric medicine. It has become an important training base for high-level geriatric medical professionals in Southwest China and across the country. Over the years, by adhering to the principles of integrity and providing high-quality service, the department has garnered numerous honors such as the “National Youth Civilization Award”, “Women’s Civilization Demonstration Post”, “National Excellent Nursing Service Ward”, and recognitions such as “Outstanding Female Worker Posts” from the Chongqing Municipal Federation of Trade Unions, the “Excellent Nursing Service Advanced Ward”, the “High-Quality Service Window” and the “Humanistic Department” from the Chongqing Municipal Health Bureau. Its reputation in the region ranks among the top tier in Southwest China and it has been repeatedly included in the “Fudan National Geriatric Medicine Specialty Ranking”.
The department operates across three specialized areas: Acute Disease Diagnosis and Treatment at the Main Hospital, Long-term Chronic Disease Management at the Qinggang Campus, and Specialized Disease Management at the Hutouyan Campus of First Branch Hospital. Collectively, the department currently provides 146 beds and offers both general and VIP inpatient services, ensuring that the diverse medical needs of elderly patients are comprehensively met.
The department employs a total of 82 staff members, including 4 professors, 6 associate professors and associate chief physicians and 6 intermediate-level professionals. In terms of academic qualifications, 13 hold doctoral degrees, and 15 hold master’s degrees. The department also includes personnel recognized under the Chongqing “322 Key Talent Project” (with 1 individual in the second tier). Additionally, it has 3 doctoral supervisors and 6 master supervisors who mentor the next generation of geriatric experts.
The department excels in diagnosing and managing both common and complex geriatric conditions. It has developed specialized expertise in several areas, including geriatric endocrine and metabolic diseases, neuropsychological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, infections and critical illnesses, geriatric syndromes, and perioperative management for elderly patients. Furthermore, the department has pioneered several innovative diagnostic and treatment techniques, such as advanced technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive disorder and dementia care, comprehensive geriatric assessment protocols combined with integrated medical and rehabilitative care, multi-dimensional assessments and interventions for frailty and sarcopenia, early diagnosis and monitoring of bloodstream infections using mcfDNA, and specialized techniques for implementing enteral and parenteral nutrition under complex clinical conditions. The department offers year-round outpatient services, including general clinics, specialist consultations, and VIP clinics, as well as sub-specialty clinics for osteoporosis, frailty and sarcopenia, geriatric infections, geriatric endocrinology, geriatric memory disorders, and comprehensive geriatric assessments - all staffed by experienced experts.
The department is equipped with a suite of state-of-the-art medical devices, including multi-functional monitoring systems, dynamic blood glucose monitors, 24-hour ECG and blood pressure monitors, defibrillators, cognitive function assessment and training systems, osteoporosis treatment devices, biofeedback systems for neurological rehabilitation, upper and lower limb rehabilitation machines, neuromuscular low-frequency electrical stimulation devices for swallowing, bladder neuro-muscle stimulation systems, ultra-low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation systems, aphasia assessment and treatment systems, arteriosclerosis detectors, non-invasive ventilators, infrared treatment devices, and bio-pulse electromagnetic field systems for osteoporosis treatment.
The department adheres to the human-centered service philosophy encapsulated in the saying “treat your elders as you would your own,” striving tirelessly toward the goal that everyone may enjoy a healthy and dignified old age.