Geriatric Medicine
- Book Review,
by Christine K. Cassel (Editor), et al
From The New England Journal of Medicine, November 5, 1998
Who will care for us when we are old? The overwhelming majority of older adults will continue to be served by generalist physicians who will be responsible for recognizing and managing geriatric health problems in various settings in collaboration with many other health care professionals and sometimes with family care givers. What does the field of geriatrics have to offer these front-line professionals? Geriatrics is generally built on a foundation of excellent adult medicine, which is then expanded to foster adaptation to the physiology of aging; multiple, interacting chronic diseases; and functional disabilities. Geriatrics can offer an organized approach to complex problems of aging such as delirium, weight loss, and falls, an ability to interact with a broad range of other health care providers, and the capacity to adapt care to the goals of the patient. Cassel and colleagues have produced a new resource for providers of care to older adults that demonstrates the value of geriatrics. The third edition of Geriatric Medicine covers basic gerontologic concepts, contexts of care, clinical approaches to the geriatric patient, medical disorders, and ethics and health policy. The values and perspectives of geriatrics are revealed in the consistent effort throughout the chapters to address how the site of care, coexisting conditions, and the health status of the patient influence management. The book offers an approach to serving as a knowledgeable advocate for older adults, ranging from the vigorous 80-year-old in whom prevention and assertive intervention may be appropriate to the elderly person who is dying and needs a provider with extensive skills in comfort care and communication with patients. These themes are exemplified in the chapter on infectious diseases, where host and environmental factors are consistently woven into a pragmatic approach to care. Other perspectives unique to geriatrics are demonstrated in chapters on the determination of decision-making capacity, screening for cancer, nutrition, and pain management. There is a valuable emphasis on ethical issues faced by those who provide care to older adults. It is never feasible to include all possible topics, given the constraints of cost and space. Nevertheless, there are some surprising omissions from this book. There is little emphasis on the experiences and needs of family care givers or on communication between doctor and patient. Despite the strong focus on chronic disease, there is no consistent approach to "self-management," the modern philosophy of helping the person with a chronic disease become a knowledgeable manager of the disease. There is only minimal attention to the management of behavioral problems in demented persons. Too many chapters tend to be long on text and short on tables and figures, making the format somewhat forbidding at times. Geriatrics is and will continue to be a predominant part of the daily practice of most generalists. This book is not likely to be useful as a quick reference source, but I recommend it for thoughtful reading about rational and compassionate management of geriatric problems. Reviewed by Stephanie Studenski, M.D.
Copyright © 1998 Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved. The New England Journal of Medicine is a registered trademark of the MMS.
From Book News, Inc.
Text/reference reviews central issues in geriatrics from biological, psychosocial, and philosophical perspectives. The 52 essays are grouped in sections addressing geriatric fundamentals, medical disorders, neurologic and psychiatric disorders, common problems in elderly persons, and health systems and health policy. Updated to reflect diagnostic, therapeutic, and policy advances. With 150 figures, some in color. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
Book Description
This new edition of a critically-acclaimed text, completely revised and updated, offers practical and comprehensive coverage of the diseases, common problems, and medical care of older persons. Building on the third edition, this revision will present a new approach focusing on Evidence-Based Medicine, with new chapters including: Physiology of Aging, Clinical Strategies of Prescribing for Older Adults, Chronic Disease Management, Prevention, Doctor-Patient Communication Issues, Sources of Suffering in the Elderly, and many others. In addition, there will be a separate chapter on Evidence-Based Geriatrics, as well as sidebars in every chapter, where applicable, on Evidence-Based Medicine. This will be an all-encompassing, authoritative volume on geriatric medicine, needed more than ever because the over-80 population is the fastest growing age group in the country.
Book Info
Oregon Health & Science Univ., Portland. Brandon/Hill Medical List minimal-core and first-purchase selection (#214). Comprehensive reference covers all aspects of the field, includes changing contexts of care, organ system diseases and disorders, palliative care, clinical approaches, and common problems in older adults. Previous edition: c1997.
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