Comments on: The Value of the Geriatrician

By: Thomas Caprio, MD

Thomas Caprio, MD — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:08:14 +0000

This is an excellent point about the Advanced Practice Nurses and I have been involved with discussions both locally and national regarding this very topic. The national recommendation was to phase out the gerontological designation for APNs and it has had mixed reactions. On one hand it would eliminate some of the restrictions in the scope of practice for APNs caring for different patient age groups across some states. I also would strongly support the inclusion of “core compentencies” regarding geriatrics and aging across all professional nurse training. However, by elimnating the specialist desgnation of a GNP, it not only mininmizes the skill set of those already practicing in the field but it also sends the wrong message that we are all prepared to care for older patients the same way. As a physician geriatrician, I have spent years refining a skill set and an approach to care that I believe has tremendous benefit for older patients. This has only come about through focused training and specialty certifcation which now enables me to provide expertise to some of the most complex geriatric patients and I am able to serve as an educator and resource for other primary care providers. This is also how I view the GNP training and the highly skilled set of providers from these program that are able to add value to the care team through their specialty expertise.

By: Liz Macera

Liz Macera — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:07:10 +0000

Nice posting. I wonder why the nursing profession has made the decision to integrate gerontology/geriatrics at the advanced practice level rather that to expand it. Although I agree that everyone in nursing needs to know a certain amount of geriatrics, I believe that nurses trained in the specialty are critical for teaching and consulting. I wonder if non-nurses agree with me. What do you think the impact will be of integrating geriatric nursing and decreasing the already small number of specialists in the field?

By: admin

admin — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:19:17 +0000

You make a good point, Martha. I think what we need to do is concentrate on getting more physicians and other healthcare workers involved in geriatric work by increasing awareness of the lack of providers in the workforce. We certainly can use more geriatricians!

By: Martha Bial

Martha Bial — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:28:46 +0000

Video is well done, Tom. A good short piece to increase community awareness about the value of geriatricians. The only risk is creating more demand than the already too-few geriatricians can meet.