Why does family doctor should learn geriatric

Jolanta Życzkowska

ISSN: 1505-8409

Przewodnik Lekarza/Guide for GPs

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10/2006
vol. 9

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abstract:

Why does family doctor should learn geriatric

Jolanta Życzkowska

Przew Lek 2006; 10 42-46

Online publish date: 2006/12/21

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The rapid population ageing resulting from the increasing average length of life and the decrease of birth rate is reflected in the percentage of older patients visiting their general practitioners. A family doctor has to take into consideration that more and more patients will be at a very advanced age and that is why he will have to cope with many complicated and complex problems resulting from polypathology and a varied course of illness. He also must be aware that more often than among younger patients he can find diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. Lack of characteristic symptoms, presence of non-characteristic or non-specific symptoms, difficult co-operation with patients, frequent bad economic situation and lack of help from family or friends, make it really difficult to cope with health problems of elderly people.

keywords:

Why does family doctor should learn geriatric

Jolanta Życzkowska

ageing, geriatric, atypical symptoms