Dialogue on Geriatrics: How Should We Fix the Problem?
Authors: Adam G. Golden, Michael A. Silverman, Michael J. Mintzer
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2012)

Letters18 September 2012Dialogue on Geriatrics: How Should We Fix the Problem?Adam G. Golden, MD, MBA, Michael A. Silverman, MD, MPH, CMD, and Michael J. Mintzer, MDAdam G. Golden, MD, MBAFrom University of Central Florida College of Medicine and Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Orlando, FL 32803; West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center, West Palm Beach, FL 33410; and University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Miami Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Bruce W. Carter Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125.Search for more papers by this author, Michael A. Silverman, MD, MPH, CMDFrom University of Central Florida College of Medicine and Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Orlando, FL 32803; West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center, West Palm Beach, FL 33410; and University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Miami Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Bruce W. Carter Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125.Search for more papers by this author, and Michael J. Mintzer, MDFrom University of Central Florida College of Medicine and Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Orlando, FL 32803; West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center, West Palm Beach, FL 33410; and University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Miami Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Bruce W. Carter Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-157-6-201209180-00022 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:Several comments state that our line of reasoning may be “dubious” or “negative.” Drs. Burton and Durso even contend that “geriatrics is very much alive” based on teaching and research efforts occurring at academic medical centers. However, no evidence is provided to dispute that the clinical subspecialty of geriatric medicine in the United States remains an unpopular career choice, is poorly reimbursed, and lacks sufficient research demonstrating its effectiveness compared with nongeriatricians (1). In addition, we agree with Dr. Hamerman that despite much progress in the basic science of aging, these efforts have not translated into geriatrician-specific medical ...References1. Golden AG, Silverman MA, Mintzer MJ. Is geriatric medicine terminally ill? Ann Intern Med. 2012;156:654-6. [PMID: 22547474] LinkGoogle Scholar2. Ellis G, Whitehead MA, Robinson D, O'Neill D, Langhorne P. Comprehensive geriatric assessment for older adults admitted to hospital: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2011;343:d6553. [PMID: 22034146] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Totten A, Carson S, Peterson K, Low A, Christensen V, Tiwari A. Evidence Brief: Effect of geriatricians on outcomes of inpatient and outpatient care. VA-ESP Project #09-199;2012. Google Scholar4. Leipzig RM, Hall WJ, Fried LP. Treating our societal scotoma: the case for investing in geriatrics, our nation's future, and our patients. Ann Intern Med. 2012;156:657-9. [PMID: 22547475] LinkGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University of Central Florida College of Medicine and Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Orlando, FL 32803; West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center, West Palm Beach, FL 33410; and University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Miami Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Bruce W. Carter Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125.Disclosures: Disclosures can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M11-3079. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoIs Geriatric Medicine Terminally Ill? Adam G. Golden , Michael A. Silverman , and Michael J. Mintzer Treating Our Societal Scotoma: The Case for Investing in Geriatrics, Our Nation's Future, and Our Patients Rosanne M. Leipzig , William J. Hall , and Linda P. Fried Dialogue on Geriatrics: How Should We Fix the Problem? John R. Burton and Samuel C. Durso Dialogue on Geriatrics: How Should We Fix the Problem? David Hamerman Dialogue on Geriatrics: How Should We Fix the Problem? Leslie S. Libow Dialogue on Geriatrics: How Should We Fix the Problem? Kenneth M. Madden and Kenneth Rockwood Dialogue on Geriatrics: How Should We Fix the Problem? T.S. Dharmarajan and Abishek Kumar Dialogue on Geriatrics: How Should We Fix the Problem? Hajime Ichiseki Dialogue on Geriatrics: How Should We Fix the Problem? Giuseppe Bellelli and Marco Trabucchi Metrics 18 September 2012Volume 157, Issue 6Page: 458-459KeywordsElderlyGeriatric careGeriatricsInpatientsLong-term careMotivationNursesOutpatientsReasoningSub-specialty care ePublished: 18 September 2012 Issue Published: 18 September 2012 CopyrightCopyright © 2012 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...