Author Description

The Oxford Textbook of Geriatric Medicine is the definitive international textbook on a medical discipline of ever-increasing importance. It provides a reference on all aspects of the medical care of older persons. There is detailed clinical information al every disease, given with referenceto the changes that take place with ageing, and the resultant appropriate management and prevention in older patients.There are major sections on common problems such as falls, incontinence, and delirium. There is full coverage of ethical issues, outcomes, long-term institutional care, communication with patients, the provision of services, community-orientated support services, and the contribution ofnon-medical specialists to the care of old people.There are outstanding sections on autonomic dysfunction, nutrition, back pain, measurement of quality of life, healthy life expectancy, arterial disease, failure to thrive, sexuality, perioperative care, special problems such as elder abuse, driving, and a 'useful information' section containingtests and scales.The need to balance, for the individual patient, the potential for benefit from modern technology with the risk of ill-effects is central to the practice of medicine in an ageing society. The contributors give clear advice on management, based on a review of the available evidence and emphasizingwhere data are limited, and all chapters have been edited by clinicians actively involved in the day-to-day problems of caring for older people.The Oxford Textbook of Geriatric Medicine takes a fully international perspective, with specialist contributors from many countries. It will provide every physician involved in the care of older patients with a comprehensive resource on all the clinical problems they are likely to encounter, aswell as on related psychological, philosophical and social issues.