Informed by more than thirty years of experience, this guide provides a wealth of insight into the clinical observation, diagnosis and treatment of elderly patients. Organized geographically from (literally) head to toes, it concentrates on the basic geriatric physical examination with each chapter providing general information as well as helpful approaches to specific regional complaints. Emphasis is placed on assisting the dedicated clinician in becoming a more perceptive observer of elderly patients with honed skills in geriatric bedside diagnostic evaluation. The text also includes historical vignettes and anecdotes of great physical diagnosticians to demonstrate the evolution of clinical skills. Tables and line drawings complement the text. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Mark E. Williams, M.D., is the Ward K. Ensminger Distinguished Professor of Geriatric Medicine in the Department of Medicine at the University of Virginia.

Mark E. Williams, M.D.

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 344
Bibliographic Info: 208 photos, tables, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2009 [2008]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4731-2
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5160-9
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vii
Preface      1
A Personal Note      5

1. General Principles      9
2. The Approach to the Elderly Patient      11
3. Initial Impressions      19
4. The Vital Signs      32
5. The Hands and Wrists      48
6. The Upper Extremities      67
7. The Head      81
8. The Eyes      88
9. The Ears, Nose, Mouth and Throat      109
10. The Neck      124
11. The Lymph Nodes      131
12. The Back      135
13. The Breasts      141
14. The Respiratory System      144
15. The Cardiovascular System      159
16. The Abdomen      181
17. The Lower Extremities      198
18. The Peripheral Vascular Examination      213
19. The Female Genitalia      224
20. The Male Genitalia      230
21. The Neurological Examination      235
22. Evaluation of Mental Status      268
23. Assessment of Balance and Gait      274
24. Evaluation of Urinary Incontinence      285
25. Geriatric Skin Conditions      294

Useful References      307
Index      309

“highly recommended”—Choice; “highly recommended”—ARBA; “motivated clinicians of all stripes and all degrees of training can gain much from using this book… this excellent scholarly book has much to savor”—Doody; “a wonderful new resource…comprehensive…packed with practical and feasible suggestions”—JAMA.