Elderly Medicine, A Training Guide

This book is aimed at the entire training requirements of Specialist Registrars. It covers both the practice of medicine for the elderly and also generic skills required by all doctors at this stage in their training. The emphasis is on practical advice (backed up by evidence where available) on the common problems of the elderly. Chapters end with references, further reading and self-assessment material.

Key Features

Incorporates implications of the National Service Framework for Older People.
Chapter on ethics much changed due to: new GMC Guidelines on consent, confidentiality and withholding treatment; new BMA/RCN Guidelines on ";do not resuscitate"; decisions.
New guidelines on stroke, hypertension and osteoporosis incorporated.
Major update to bibliography.

Contents
Part 1. General Themes
Biological ageing - its relevance to geriatricians. Social gerontology. Clinical ageing. Investigating older patients. Developing and planning services. Community geriatric care. Medical ethics and the law. Prevention and health promotion. Overview of complexity/co-morbidity. Driving assessment. Carers. Ethnic elders.
Part 2: Core Topics
Urinary incontinence. Falls and instability. Orthogeriatric care. Palliative care. Old age psychiatry. Rehabilitation. Management of stroke. Clinical aspects of pressure sores. Therapeutics.
Part 3: Selected Topics
Section 1: Central Nervous System
The management of Parkinson's disease. Syncope and dizziness. Gait disorders.
Section 2: Cardiovascular System
When to treat hypertension. Abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral vascular disease. The management of atrial fibrillation in the older patient.
Section 3: Respiratory System
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Tuberculosis. Respiratory rehabilitation.
Section 4: Gastrointestinal System
Oral health. Faecal incontinence and constipation.
Section 5: Genitourinary
Prostate diseases. Urinary tract infections. Sexuality and ageing.
Section 6: Bone and locomotor System
Management of osteoporosis. Painful shoulder. Foot disorders. Contractures.
Section 7: Cancer
Cancer in old age.
Section 8: Vision and Hearing
Ophthalmology. Hearing disorders.
Section 9: Skin
Pruritus. Leg ulcers.
Section 10: Infection
Preventing infections.
Section 11: Nutrition and feeding disorders
Nutrition. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding.
Part 4: Personal and professional skills
Education. All you need to know about management in one chapter. Preparing for a consultant post. Time management and organizing paperwork. Dealing with complaints. Maintaining morale. Keeping up to date. Making the most of information technology. Professional issues. Research and audit. Answers to self-assessment questions. Index.


Author Information
By Gurcharan Rai, MD, MSc, FRCP, Consultant Physician, Department of Care of Older People, Whittington Hospital, London, UK; and Graham Mulley, Professor of Care of the Elderly, University of Leeds Medical School, Leeds, UK