Fundamentals Of Geriatric Medicine

This book distills the wealth of knowledge contained in the classic text, Geriatric Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach, 4/e into a practical guide for primary care, family medicine, and internal medicine residents. Written by top experts in the field, the book offers a detailed, compact overview of geriatric care. It addresses geriatric pharmacology, Medicare and Medicaid, and numerous other subjects unique to older adults. The case-based instructional approach helps readers navigate the complexity of prevention, presentation, and treatment for conditions such as depression, dementia, and hypertension. Graphs and tables aid the reader in determining the proper courses of treatment.

This book distills the wealth of knowledge contained in the classic text, Geriatric Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach, 4/e into a practical guide for primary care, family medicine, and internal medicine residents. Written by top experts in the field, the book offers a detailed, compact overview of geriatric care. It addresses geriatric pharmacology, Medicare and Medicaid, and numerous other subjects unique to older adults. The case-based instructional approach helps readers navigate the complexity of prevention, presentation, and treatment for conditions such as depression, dementia, and hypertension. Graphs and tables aid the reader in determining the proper courses of treatment.

With the appearance of a textbook as comprehensive as this one, it is clear that the field of geriatrics is coming of age. The broad scope of these volumes shapes a substantial answer to the question, "What is geriatrics and why should we be interested in it?" As I see it, there are at least five reasons. First, the scientific or intellectual reason: gerontology is the study of aging from the biologic, psychological, and social perspectives. There is increasing interest in the fascinating insights into the biologic mechanisms of aging, errors in protein synthesis, DNA repair mechanisms, alterations of the neuroendocrine system, changes in the immune system, genetic controls, and somatic mutations. Second, the demographic reason: this is the century of old age. There has been a 26-year gain in the average life expectancy. This gain compares with that acquired from 3,000 years B.C. (the Bronze Age) to the year 1900, which was about 29 years. Therefore, in one century, there has been a gain in the average life expectancy almost equal to 5,000 previous years of human history. In 1830, one of three newborn infants survived beyond 60 years of age.

A change is coming. By 2050, the world's 65-and-older population will double, and the 85 and older population will mushroom fivefold. As the number of older adults surge, so too will the number of medication management challenges pharmacists and other health care providers experience. For the geriatric population, complex cases are often the norm, and providing safe and effective care can mean considering assessments of function and cognition, contacting multiple prescribers, and understanding a patient's history, beliefs, and care giving situation before making therapeutic decisions. Fundamentals of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy: An Evidence-Based Approach gives practitioners the information they need to improve outcomes and personalize care for elderly patients. Section 1 explores important foundational concepts such as social and behavioral issues, ethical considerations, biomedical principles of aging, geriatric assessment, and polypharmacy. Section 2 covers common disease states in aging adults, providing evidence-based treatment information as well as helpful tips for minimizing common problems and contending with clinical controversies. Particular attention is given to how treatment can differ along the spectrum of active elderly to frail elderly patients. Useful features throughout the book guide practitioners in navigating the maze of information required when caring for an older patient. These include: Summarized treatment guidelines Reviews of the evidence-base Special focus on recommendations for frail elderly At least one full case study, or more, in each chapter Clinical Pearls Key Points highlight important information in each chapter Key terms and definitions The demands of an aging population mean a greater understanding of geriatric pharmacotherapy will soon be essential for all health care providers. Fundamentals of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy ensures that you'll have the information needed to respond appropriately.

The most RENOWNED AND TRUSTED INTRODUCTORY GUIDE to core topics in geriatric medicine and health care A doody's Core Title ESSENTIAL PURCHASE! 4 STAR DOODY'S REVIEW! "This continues to be the leading U.S. introductory textbook in geriatric medicine. It is user friendly, well written and edited, and easy on the eyes. Not a single major concept is omitted. With some 400-plus pleasant pages, this can easily be read on a rotation in geriatric medicine. If I had a magic wand, I would wave it, and copies of this brilliant book would appear under the pillow of every hospitalist in the land. See if it doesn't resonate with you as well."--Doody's Essentials of Clinical Geriatrics delivers a broad, well-written overview of all the important issues in geriatrics along with concise, practical guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases and disorders most commonly encountered in older patients. Features: A strong focus on the field's must-know concepts, from the nature of clinical aging to differential diagnosis of important geriatric syndromes to drug therapy and health services Time-saving tables that summarize conditions, values, mechanisms, therapeutics, and more Thorough coverage of preventive services and disease screening An appendix of internet resources on geriatrics NEW! Evidence-Based Summary section added to selected chapters NEW! The addition of a Nurse Practitioner to the author team for the widest perspective possible