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Characteristics of Family Practitioners with Large Geriatric Practices
Author(s) -
Haas William H.,
Crandall Lee A.,
Bain D. J. G.
Publication year - 1980
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.1532-5415.1980.tb00617.x
Subject(s) - medicine , geriatrics , family medicine , geriatric care , health maintenance , health care , family doctors , gerontology , chronic disease , nursing , psychiatry , economics , economic growth
Little has been reported on the characteristics of physicians presently serving the health needs of the elderly. In this report, generated from a survey of Florida family practitioners, physicians with large geriatric practices are compared to physicians with practices composed primarily of younger patients. Family, physicians with large geriatric practices are older, and treat more chronic disease than do their peers. However, they consult the same professional journals and texts in caring for their patients, refer patients to specialists at the same rate, and have the same office facilities as do their colleagues who treat chiefly younger patients. The family physician with a large geriatric case load is less likely to have a predominantly outpatient practice and more likely to be involved with hospitalized patients. Data from the census and health manpower studies suggest that family physicians will care for substantial numbers of elderly patients in the future. Continuing education which addresses issues in geriatrics may help to attain optimal health care for the elderly.