Role of Geriatrist as Primary Care Physician - Dr. Aaliya Amer MD

1. The Role of Primary Care Physician as Geriatrist Dr. Aaliya Amer Internal Medicine Doctor and Geriatrist, Primary Care of Telfair, Sugar Land, TX Primary care is the day to day healthcare given by a health care provider. typically, this provider acts as the first contact and principal point of continuing care for patients within a healthcare system, and coordinates other specialist care that the patient may need. According to National Health Service, NHS care is provided in two main ways: 1)Primary Care (GPs and community services) 2)Secondary Care (hospitals and specialists). Primary care provides continuing comprehensive health care for the individual and not only treats the patient when they are ill, but works with the patient when they are healthy to establish strong health maintenance skills by practicing disease prevention and health education. Geriatric population is a rapidly growing worldwide; this rise of the aging population has had an impact on the practice of medicine (Jamison DT, Sandbu ME, 2001). Clinical practice in primary care focuses on the unique needs of the geriatric population which is different from other patient population. The aged body is different physiologically from the younger adult body, older patients tend to develop a more severe disease state and have co-morbidities leading to longer lengths of stay in the hospital When Do You Need A Primary Care Physician? When we suffer from common ailments including respiratory infections, headaches, back pain, and urinary infections, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, anxiety, and depression, we need to consult the nearest primary care physician. Is Primary Care Physician and Geriatrician same term? Referring to the same, the Geriatricians are primary care doctors who have additional specialized training in treating older patients. Role of Primary Care Physician in Geriatrics Using simple and easily administered assessment tools, primary care physicians can improve the identification of specific problems that are common in the elderly and also shift their focus from disease specific intervention to preventive care and proactive management. Dealing with the increasing burden of chronic diseases requires health promotion and disease prevention intervention at community level as well as disease management strategies within their health care system. Their patients often have one or more chronic health issues. The National Council on Aging reports that 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 68% have at least two. What is the Primary Duty of a Geriatrician? Geriatricians are also called Geriatric doctors, who specialize in caring for aging adults who often have complex medical issues. The approach tends to be holistic and involves a multidisciplinary team. The geriatrician concentrates on managing the medical conditions affecting the patient. Geriatricians educate people about how to stay active, connected, and healthy, and how to manage transitions in their family life, work life, and living environments. Why Is Geriatric Care Important for Older Adults? According to Global Survey on Geriatrics by WHO, the total number of older people (defined as 60 years of age and over) world-wide is expected to increase from 605 million in 2000 to 1.2 billion by the year 2025 (1). Currently, about 60% of older persons live in the developing world. This number is expected to increase to 75% (843 million) by the year 2025. With the increasing number of aged people, the need of a Geriatrician is increasing day by day. For older adults, geriatric care helps in •Improving health care and

2. •Dementia •Hearing and Vision Loss •Cancer •Osteoarthritis •Insomnia •Diabetes •Depression •Heart Failure hysicians%20(PCPs)%20are,obesity%2C%20anxi ety%2C%20and%20depression. According to Span, the federal model indicates the United State will need 33,200 geriatricians in 2025 to care for elderly patients. But currently there are about 7,000 U.S. geriatricians, of whom about 50% practice full time. Part of the reason why the field has not grown significantly over the years is because the geriatrics doesn't attract enough residents, Spans explains. More than one third of 384 available slots for graduate fellowships in geriatrics—excluding geriatric psychiatry—went unfilled in 2019, according to data from the American Geriatrics Society. One reason why the field isn't attracting residents is because geriatricians are paid less than other specialists, Span reports. Reference https://www.advisory.com/en/daily- briefing/2020/01/21/geriatricians#:~:text=Geria trics%20is%20failing%20to%20attract%20new% 20physicians&text=According%20to%20Span%2 C%20the%20federal,about%2050%25%20practi ce%20full%20time. https://www.healthline.com/health/geriatrician -doctor#what-they-do https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323 804358_The_Role_of_Primary_Care_Physician_ in_Geriatric_Care https://www.betterteam.com/geriatrician-job- description#:~:text=A%20Geriatrician%20provid es%20health%20care,such%20as%20diabetes% 20and%20cancer. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-do- you-need-a-primary-care-physician- 2019081917527#:~:text=Primary%20care%20p