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Eric B. Larson, MD, MPH

JAMA. 1991;265(23):3125-3126.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

As physicians find themselves spending more time caring for older patients, American medicine has developed an increased appreciation of some of the important features of geriatric medicine. Medical problems of aging are less likely to be just "medical" and short-term. Rather, the conscientious physician practicing good geriatric medicine appreciates the social, environmental, economic, and ethical dimensions that are part of the patient's medical problems. The time horizon for most diseases of old age, their amelioration or prevention, is long-term. Advance planning and the availability of effective caregivers in a supportive environment have important effects on patient well-being.

As physicians have added the geriatric medicine perspective to their practice style, the knowledge base of geriatric medicine has also advanced. Advances have occurred from careful, painstaking, time-consuming clinical research on common chronic diseases, discoveries in clinical and basic science laboratories, and evaluation of programs designed to promote well-being (for example, "successful aging") . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
University of Washington Medical Center and School of Medicine, Seattle

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