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THE PERSONAL PHYSICIAN, THE PSYCHIATRIST, THE FAMILY, AND THE OLDER PATIENT *
Author(s) -
Thompson Prescott W.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1968.tb02728.x
Subject(s) - medicine , task (project management) , mental health , psychiatry , family doctors , nursing , family medicine , management , economics
A bstract The provision of mental health services for the elderly is an urgent problem. There are too few psychiatrists for the task and there is great difficulty regarding their availability for such services. There should be better working relationships between psychiatrists and other physicians. In addition, close members of the patient's family should be effectively involved in the treatment situation. Some illustrative cases are present. Older people with serious problems can be helped substantially. The fundamental attitudes involve respect for the individual and for the difficulties inevitably encountered in trying to help him. Understanding, concern, and respect—these three. And the greatest of these—and the hardest to come by—is understanding.