No Apology for Geriatrics

Apology

Geriatrics / Gériatrie Why Geriatrics ?

Why geriatric medicine ? Many have asked this question... residents considering specialization; specialists reluctant to acknowledge change in their aging patients; and anxious patients narrowly defining geriatric medicine as end-of-life care. All have wondered how caring for older patients differs from that of younger adults. The difference, in fact, is immense. The transition from a disease-f...

Geriatrics

This overview covers several topics related to the management of frequent problems in elderly persons. Several studies have shown that treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia with psychotropic medication is modestly effective and could increase the risk of adverse events, including death. Influenza vaccination in long term care residents was shown to be effective in a systematic revi...

No role for apology: remedial work and the problem of medical injury.

The past decade has produced ample evidence that patients are injured by medical care. A landmark document “To Err is Human” articulated a way to protect patients based on analysis of health care organizations according to complex systems and principles of human performance rather than “blame and shame”. To understand how to prevent injury, full – but protected – disclosure is required as well ...

An Apology