Abstract
Geriatricians are a heroic lot. They work in a field where their elderly patients have suffered the medical, functional, and cognitive tolls of a long life. The potential for change is limited. Most of the time, there is no way to “fix” the problems that are presented to them because those issues are longstanding and progressive. Information sharing is often difficult due to sensory, cognitive, and/or emotional issues. Finally, older patients may have difficulty adhering to a plan of care due to financial limitations, functional problems, and lack of formal and informal supports. Geriatricians must be part physician, part detective, and part family counselor. In order to be effective, they need to consider multiple plans and view patients in the context of their psychosocial, social, and spiritual needs and motivations. If these needs are not met, chances are that the medical outcome will suffer.
“The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient.”
William Osler
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Appendix A
Appendix A
Integrated Beharioral Health Project. California Primary Care Association. Screening Tools for Primary Care. General Resources - Mood and Anxiety Disorders Pages 2–3. Accessed 2/19. ► http://www.ibhpartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/screeningtool-mandy.pdf
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Barton, S. (2020). Psychosocial, Social, and Spiritual Needs of Geriatric Patients. In: Chun, A. (eds) Geriatric Practice. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19625-7_44
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19625-7_44
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