Geriatrics: The Need for Science and Policy
Authors: OSLER L. PETERSON
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1978)

Editorials1 August 1978Geriatrics: The Need for Science and PolicyOSLER L. PETERSON, M.D., F.A.C.P.OSLER L. PETERSON, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-89-2-279 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptA conference on medical care at the University of Chicago in 1976, addressed by Swedish physicians, academics, and administrators, was marked by a general preoccupation with that country's increasingly large geriatric population (more than 14% in 1973) (1). Sweden's seemingly excellent geriatric services often strike foreign observers because of their emphasis on institutional care. England, too, has excellent geriatric services and is also facing a growing population of persons over age 65. Its services are characterized by diversity—recreational programs, meals on wheels, home helps, visiting nurses, halfway homes, geriatric and general hospitals. The need for geriatric specialists who have created...References1. Statistical Abstract of Sweden. Table 15. National Central Bureau of Statistics, Liberforag. Stockholm, Allmänna Förlaggt, 1974 Google Scholar2. HERMALIN A: The effect of changes in mortality rates on population growth and age distribution in the U.S. Milbank Mem. Fund Q. 44:451-468, 1966 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. FOWLES D: Some Prospects for the Future Elderly Population. Washington, D.C., DHEW Publication No. (OHDS) 78-20288, January 1978 Google Scholar4. JONES S, CARR J, and HAUCK W: Medicare Impact on Hospital Utilization. A Report to the Social Security Administration, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine. Boston, Harvard Medical School, 1975 (mimeographed) Google Scholar5. WILDER C: Limitation of Activity and Mobility. Washington, D.C., DHEW Publication No. (HRA) 75-1523 Google Scholar6. SHANAS E: Family responsibility and the health of older people. J Gerontol. 15:408-411, 1960 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. BRODY S, POULSHOCK S, and MASCIOCCHI C: The family caring unit: a major consideration in long term care. J Gerontol, 1978, in press CrossrefGoogle Scholar8. Health, United States, 1976-77. Washington, D.C., DHEW Publication No. (HRA) 77-1232, p. 359 Google Scholar9. See Reference 8, Tables 125, 131 Google Scholar10. SHEPHARD M: General practice, mental illness, and the British National Health Service. Am J Public Health 64:230-232, 1974 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar11. SPITZER W, SACKETT D, SIBLEY J, ROBERTS R, GENT M, KERGIN D, HACKETT B, and OLYNICH A: The Burlington randomized trial of the nurse practitioner. N Engl J Med 290:251-256, 1974 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: OSLER L. PETERSON, M.D., F.A.C.P.Affiliations: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byDemographic PerspectivesManagement and Financing of Long-Term-Care ServicesHospital Treatment of Elderly Neuropsychiatric Patients. II. Statistical Profile of the First 122 Patients in a New Teaching WardSupport systems and mental illness in the elderly 1 August 1978Volume 89, Issue 2 Page: 279-281 Keywords Geriatrics Public policy Science policy ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 August 1978 PDF downloadLoading ...