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What is Geriatrics
Sun, 07/06/2008 - 21:04Geriatrics is best described as the the branch of medicine that focuses on health of elderly patients. It's focus is to prevent and treat disease and disability, as well as promote general health of seniors. There is no specific age at which a patient is prescribed geriatric treatments, as this is generally determined by the patients profile, and the symptoms that the patient suffers from. Some of the most common treatments are for immobility, incontinence and degradation of memory. Geriatrics may also include elderly care for delirium, impaired vision or hearing, and many other discomforts and diseases that older patients can suffer from.
In the United States, primary care providers that are board certified in either family practice or internal medicine and also have completed the training required to receive a Certificate of Added Qualifications in geriatric medicine are known as geriatricians. However, in the United Kingdom, geriatricians are usually just hospital physicians. Occasionally, some concentrate solely on community geriatrics.
Some of the more specialized geriatrics services include orthogeriatrics, which is a combination of orthopedic surgery and osteoporosis, and psychogeriatrics, which focuses on dementia, depression and other conditions common in the elderly.
In the United States, primary care providers that are board certified in either family practice or internal medicine and also have completed the training required to receive a Certificate of Added Qualifications in geriatric medicine are known as geriatricians. However, in the United Kingdom, geriatricians are usually just hospital physicians. Occasionally, some concentrate solely on community geriatrics.
Some of the more specialized geriatrics services include orthogeriatrics, which is a combination of orthopedic surgery and osteoporosis, and psychogeriatrics, which focuses on dementia, depression and other conditions common in the elderly.
Current Trends in Geriatrics
Sun, 07/06/2008 - 20:15One of the most important trends in geriatrics today is the continuing efforts to treat and prevent delirium in hospitalized elderly patients. Symptoms of this condition surface when the hospitalized elderly patient becomes disoriented and confused while hospitalized. The result is a degradation of health, and it can also lead to prolonged hospitalization and other health complications. Treatment of this disorder includes mental stimulation and keeping the patient oriented in reality.
One of the leading programs in preventing delirium and improving the quality of care provided to elderly patients is the Hospital Elder Life Program, or HELP. Another program who's goals include preventing delirium include the Elder Horizons Program (EHP). Also, the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) established minimum competencies in 2007 for graduating medical students to ensure competent care for elderly patients. The twenty six competencies in eight different domains along with full descriptions of each can be found on the Portal of Geriatric Online Education.
One of the leading programs in preventing delirium and improving the quality of care provided to elderly patients is the Hospital Elder Life Program, or HELP. Another program who's goals include preventing delirium include the Elder Horizons Program (EHP). Also, the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) established minimum competencies in 2007 for graduating medical students to ensure competent care for elderly patients. The twenty six competencies in eight different domains along with full descriptions of each can be found on the Portal of Geriatric Online Education.