Chan's Practical Geriatrics

The assessment and management of elderly patients is often dreaded by Junior Medical Staff and General Practitioners. The complex nature of many geriatric syndromes and the limited time for consultations or review often means it is difficult to assess the older patients thoroughly. This practical book of geriatric medicine is meant to make life a little easier for busy General Practitioners and Junior Medical Staff. It is problem orientated, in the format of history taking, examination, investigation and management, which is the cornerstone we generally approach patients. It is also succinct, smmnarising cmmnon problems and avoiding unnecessary details or uncmmnon diseases making it a good companion for busy practitioners. Often, explanations are given to why salient questions are asked in history taking, and why certain physical examination or investigations are done which is different to the didactic approach of a lot of traditional textbooks. Scenarios are also given in many chapters to assist the understanding of some common geriatric syndromes or diseases. Junior Medical Staff who are preparing for their physician's examination may find this book helpful in dealing with complex geriatric issues, which may occur during long cases. Senior medical students doing geriatrics may too find this book useful, especially if they are confronted with clinical geriatric viva but some basic theoretical knowledge is assumed. This book is not intended to replace traditional geriatric textbooks, but rather to supplement them. It is also our hope that our contribution will minimize the pain of busy doctors managing older patients. Like all other textbooks, despite the best of effort, errors invariably will occur and facts should be counter-checked with senior clinicians and other textbooks or literature.