Geriatrics for the Practicing Physician

Geriatrics for the Practicing Physician is a monthly 2-3 page column on geriatrics principles, syndromes, cases and other frequently encountered medical issues in the older patient. The column debuted in January, 2007, and appears in the official journal of the Rhode Island Medical Society, Medicine and  Health: Rhode Island, that is sent to all Rhode Island physicians. Written for the general and specialty practitioner who is not certified in geriatrics, the "Geriatrics for the Practicing Physician" column is designed to present typical care issues in the older adult, outline optimal standards of care and differential diagnoses, and to raise issues and questions that may not be obvious to the non-geriatrician provider. Each column usually begins with a short case on a common particular illness, medical problem or situation, then summarizes the background and principles for treatment, including evaluation, work-up and treatment.  Columns are written by geriatricians, geriatrics fellows, geriatric nurse practitioners, specialty physicians with geriatrics training, and medical students at the Warren Alpert Medical School who are Scholarly Concentrators in Aging. The column is edited by geriatrician Ana Tuya Fulton, MD, under the auspices of the Quality Partners of Rhode Island and the Warren Alpert Medical School Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine. 

The series is here presented in reverse chronological order with direct links to the article pdfs. The articles can also be accessed directly at: http://rimed.org/medhealthri-archives.asp

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[2011]     [2010]     [2009]     [2008]      [2007]

Baier R, Gardner R, Gravenstein S, Besdine R. Partnering to improve hospital-physician office communication through implementing care transitions best practices. Med Health R I. 2011 Jun;94(6):178-82. PubMed PMID: 21748988. 
 
Hohenhaus MH. Vulvovaginal atrophy: a common--and commonly overlooked--problem. Med Health R I. 2011 May;94(5):138-40. PubMed PMID: 21710922.
 
Brooks WB. Electroconvulsive therapy in older adults. Med Health R I. 2011 Apr;94(4):107-9. PubMed PMID: 21667602.
 
Schaefer MW, Gopalakrishnan G. Osteoporosis: screening, evaluation, and monitoring. Med Health R I. 2011 Apr;94(4):95-7. PubMed PMID: 21667599.
 
Fulton AT. Exciting news in the area of prevention and screening. Med Health R I. 2011 Mar;94(3):77-8. PubMed PMID: 21488530.
 
Kohn R, Verhoek-Oftedahl W. Caregiving and elder abuse. Med Health R I. 2011 Feb;94(2):47-9. PubMed PMID: 21456376.
 
Goldberg A, Rickler KS. The role of family caregivers for people with chronic illness. Med Health R I. 2011 Feb;94(2):41-2. PubMed PMID: 21456374.
 
Davis JD, Curtin AJ. Family and professional caregiving of individuals with dementia in long-term care. Med Health R I. 2011 Feb;94(2):38-40. PubMed PMID: 21456373.
 
Tremont G. Family caregiving in dementia. Med Health R I. 2011 Feb;94(2):36-8. PubMed PMID: 21456372.
 
Fulton AT, Epstein-Lubow G. Family caregiving at the end of life. Med Health R I. 2011 Feb;94(2):34-5. PubMed PMID: 21456371.
 
Epstein-Lubow G. Caregivers and clinicians. Med Health R I. 2011 Feb;94(2):33. PubMed PMID: 21456370.
  Gravenstein S, Pop-Vicas A, Ambrozaitis A. The 2009 A/H1N1 pandemic influenza and the nursing home. Med Health R I. 2010 Dec;93(12):382-4. Review. PubMed PMID: 21214077.
 
Javier NS. Palliative care for the nursing home resident with dementia. Med Health R I. 2010 Dec;93(12):379-81. Review. PubMed PMID: 21214076.

Epstein-Lubow G, Rosenzweig A. The use of antipsychotic medication in long-term care. Med Health R I. 2010 Dec;93(12):372, 377-8. Review. PubMed PMID: 21214075.
 
Curtin AJ. Non-pharmacological approaches to dementia in the long-term care setting. Med Health R I. 2010 Dec;93(12):369-71. Review. PubMed PMID: 21214074.
 
Roach R, Dexter C. The prevention, treatment and liability of pressure ulcers in the nursing home. Med Health R I. 2010 Dec;93(12):365-8. PubMed PMID: 21214073.
 
Roth L. Fecal incontinence. Med Health R I. 2010 Nov;93(11):356-8. PubMed PMID: 21155518.
 
Brucker B, McNicoll L, Shield R. Nutrition recommendations for the independent-living older person. Med Health R I. 2010 Oct;93(10):322-4. PubMed PMID: 21284273.
 
McNicoll L, Marsella M. The growing problem of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: will hospitals prevail? Med Health R I. 2010 Sep;93(9):267-70. Review. PubMed PMID: 20957909.
 
Pop-Vicas A, Butterfield K, Gardner R. Reducing the incidence of Clostridium difficile infections: can we do it? Med Health R I. 2010 Sep;93(9):263-6. PubMed PMID: 20957908. 
 
Baler RR, Gravenstein S. Curbing healthcare-associated infections. Med Health R I. 2010 Sep;93(9):260. PubMed PMID: 20957906.
 
Oyieng'o DO, Bradley J. HIV in the older adult. Med Health R I. 2010 Aug;93(8):252-3. Review. PubMed PMID: 20827933.

Tomas M, Javier N. Persistent non-cancer pain management in the older adult. Med Health R I. 2010 Jul;93(7):216-8. PubMed PMID: 20704069.
 
Silverblatt FJ. Managing health care facility associated pneumonias: diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Med Health R I. 2010 Jul;93(7):201-3. PubMed PMID:20704066.
 
Fulton AT. If you are over 65--can you have your cake and eat it too? Med Health R I. 2010 Jun;93(6):187-8. PubMed PMID: 20632717.
 
Fircanis S, McKay M. Recognition and management of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing organisms (ESBL). Med Health R I. 2010 May;93(5):161-2. Review. PubMed PMID: 20533728.

Epstein-Lubow G, Fulton AT, Gardner R, Gravenstein S, Miller IW. Post-hospital transitions: special considerations for individuals with dementia. Med Health R I. 2010 Apr;93(4):125-7. PubMed PMID: 20486528.
 
Lareau C, Sawyer G. Hip fracture surgical treatment and rehabilitation. Med Health R I. 2010 Apr;93(4):108-11. PubMed PMID: 20486521.
 
Wolfe PI, Lourenco C, Mukand J. The assessment and prevention of falls. Med Health R I. 2010 Apr;93(4):106-8. PubMed PMID: 20486520.
 
Donnelly E, Jiang Y. Older persons in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Med Health R I. 2010 Feb;93(2):60-1. PubMed PMID: 20329629.
 
Hyder O, Ziv O. Sudden cardiac death and implantable cardioverter defibrillations (ICD) and the older adult. Med Health R I. 2010              Jan;93(1):27-8. Review. PubMed PMID: 20481204.
                                                                                                                     
Latif S, McNicoll L. Medication and non-adherence in the older adult. Med Health R I. 2009 Dec;92(12):418-9. PubMed PMID: 20066833.
 
Rotjanapan P, Dosa D. Asymptomatic versus symptomatic urinary tract infections in long-term-care-facility residents. Med Health R I. 2009 Nov;92(11):377-9. PubMed PMID: 19999899.
 
Ho CM, Butera JN. Update on myelodysplastic syndrome. Med Health R I. 2009 Sep;92(9):315-7. PubMed PMID: 19842531.
 
Carroll D, Pappola L, McNicoll L. Fall prevention interventions in acute care settings: the Rhode Island Hospital experience. Med Health R I. 2009 Aug;92(8):280-2. PubMed PMID: 19736731.
 
McNicoll L, Fitzgibbons PG. Optimal hip fracture management in high-risk frail older adults. Med Health R I. 2009 Jul;92(7):250-2. PubMed PMID: 19685643.
 
Fulton AT. Treating depression in the older adult. Med Health R I. 2009 Jun;92(6):214-6. PubMed PMID: 19634624.
 
Han LF, Davidson HE, Gravenstein S. Steps to managing difficult behavior in people with dementia. Med Health R I. 2009 May;92(5):182-4. PubMed PMID: 19530485.
 
Kapoor M, McNicoll L. Anticoagulation in the octogenarian with atrial fibrillation. Med Health R I. 2009 Apr;92(4):152-4. PubMed PMID: 19452760. 
 
Epstein-Lubow G. Family caregiver health: what to do when a spouse or child needs help. Med Health R I. 2009 Mar;92(3):106-7. PubMed PMID: 19385387.
 
Bishop KD. Cancer screening over 65. Med Health R I. 2009 Feb;92(2):61-2. PubMed PMID: 19288688.

Roach R, Dexter C. The practicing physicians' guide to pressure ulcers in 2008. Med Health R I. 2009 Jan;92(1):30-1. PubMed PMID: 19248424.

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Roach R. The practicing physicians' guide to pressure ulcers in 2008. Med Health R I. 2008 Dec;91(12):382-3. PubMed PMID: 19170315.
 
Jones CA. Prognostication: medicine's lost art. Med Health R I. 2008 Nov;91(11):347-8. PubMed PMID: 19093382.
 
Kohn R, Surti GM. Management of behavioral problems in dementia. Med Health R I. 2008 Nov;91(11):335-8. PubMed PMID: 19093380.
 
McNicoll L. Issues of sexuality in the elderly. Med Health R I. 2008 Oct;91(10):321-2. PubMed PMID: 19044109.
 
Gardner RL. Successful interventions for avoiding readmission in the elderly. Med Health R I. 2008 Sep;91(9):285-7. PubMed PMID: 18834048.
 
Shield RR, Wetle TF, Besdine RW. Preparing for the silver tsunami: the integration of geriatrics into the new medical curriculum at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Med Health R I. 2008 Aug;91(8):247-9. PubMed PMID: 18754264.
 
Fulton AT. Dementia screening: should we screen asymptomatic older adults? Med Health R I. 2008 Jul;91(7):224-5. PubMed PMID: 18705224.
 
Starr R, Fulton AT. Case presentation: Mr. J, an 88 year-old man found on the floor, complaining of generalized weakness. Med Health R I. 2008 Jun;91(6):197-8. PubMed PMID: 18610809.
 
Mernoff ST. Geriatric neurorehabilitation in the new millenium. Med Health R I. 2008 May;91(5):180-2. Review. PubMed PMID: 18549044.
 
Amick MM, Ott BR. Driving safety among older adults. Med Health R I. 2008 May;91(5):178-80. Review. PubMed PMID: 18549043.

Sachs GM. Peripheral neurology: special concerns in the elderly. Med Health R I. 2008 May;91(5):174-5. Review. PubMed PMID: 18549041.
 
Diamond AM, Blum AS. Epilepsy in the elderly. Med Health R I. 2008 May;91(5):170-1. Review. PubMed PMID: 18549040.
 
Saint-Hilaire MH. Parkinson's disease in the elderly. Med Health R I. 2008 May;91(5):168-9. Review. PubMed PMID: 18549039.
 
Friedman JH. Gait in the elderly. Med Health R I. 2008 May;91(5):166-7. PubMed PMID: 18549038.
 
Wu CK. Mild cognitive impairment, healthy aging and Alzheimer's disease. Med Health R I. 2008 May;91(5):164-5. Review. PubMed PMID: 18549037
 
Besdine RW, Wu D. Aging of the human nervous system: what do we know? Med Health R I. 2008 May;91(5):161-3. Review. PubMed PMID: 18549036.
 
Jones CA. A primer on hospice for the internist. Med Health R I. 2008 Apr;91(4):121-2. PubMed PMID: 18595593.

Wachtel TJ. House calls and home care. Med Health R I. 2008 Mar;91(3):91-4. PubMed PMID: 18438101.
 
Farreul T, Tuya A. Nutrition in the older adult. Med Health R I. 2008 Feb;91(2):65-6. PubMed PMID: 18372865.
 
Tuya A, Teno J. Feeding tubes for nursing home residents with advanced dementia: how to approach feeding tube decisions. Med Health R I. 2008 Jan;91(1):33-4. PubMed PMID: 18271346.
 
Burgess FW, Burgess TA. Pain management in the elderly surgical patient. Med Health R I. 2008 Jan;91(1):11-4. Review. PubMed PMID: 18271340.  
Farrell TW, Dosa D. The assessment and management of hypoactive delirium. Med Health R I. 2007 Dec;90(12):393-5. PubMed PMID: 18314832
 
Wachtel TJ. Geriatric osteoporosis. Med Health R I. 2007 Oct;90(10):330-3. Review. PubMed PMID: 18019193.
 
Nanda A. Chronic dizziness in older persons. Med Health R I. 2007 Sep;90(9):291-3. PubMed PMID: 17970332.
 
Thiagarajan DV. Elder abuse and mistreatment. Med Health R I. 2007 Aug;90(8):253-5. PubMed PMID: 17867411.
 
Nanda A, Wachtel TJ. Nursing home physicians: roles and responsibilities. Med Health R I. 2007 Jul;90(7):218-21. PubMed PMID: 17711080.
 
Dosa D, McNicoll L. Infections in the nursing home: a primer for the practicing physician. Med Health R I. 2007 Jul;90(7):211-2, 216-7. PubMed PMID: 17711079.
 
Tuya AC. Transitions of care: a topic for the present and future. Med Health R I. 2007 Jul;90(7):208-10. PubMed PMID: 17711078.
 
Holzer C. Culture change in long-term care. Med Health R I. 2007 Jul;90(7):205-7. PubMed PMID: 17711077.
 
Gravenstein S. Nursing homes: introduction. Med Health R I. 2007 Jul;90(7):204. PubMed PMID: 17711076.
 
Tuya AC. The management of insomnia in the older adult. Med Health R I. 2007 Jun;90(6):195-6. PubMed PMID: 17633595.
 
Rhodes RL. The use of palliative and hospice care in the nursing home setting. Med Health R I. 2007 May;90(5):161-2. PubMed PMID: 17557661.
 
Kleckley J. Transitional care. Med Health R I. 2007 Apr;90(4):127-8. PubMed PMID: 17518153.
 
Tuya AC. Managing the medication portfolio and avoiding polypharmacy in the older adult. Med Health R I. 2007 Feb;90(2):55-6. PubMed PMID: 17500254.
 
Tuya AC, Besdine RW. Using the comprehensive clinical approach to older patients. Med Health R I. 2007 Jan;90(1):27-8. PubMed PMID: 17487032.
 

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