Oxford desk reference: Geriatric medicine

Geriatric medicine is a complex and fascinating branch of medicine. As the population grows older, doctors working in primary and secondary care need to have access to age-specific information and evidence-based practice in order to serve their elderly patients. This new textbook will be a welcome addition to any accident and emergency department, hospital ward or primary care library. Trainees in geriatric medicine and general medicine will also find it informative and helpful in their day-to-day practice, as well as in preparation for their examinations, including the diploma of geriatric medicine.

The editors have recognised the multi-faceted nature of the subject by having enlightening chapters on the essential topics of general and geriatric medicine. Each problem is described with a specific emphasis on their effect on older people. All the geriatric giants, as well as the essential topical subject ‘What is geriatric medicine’?, are addressed.

The assessment of the older person in primary care, care home and the acute hospital setting is described. There are additional valuable and useful chapters on: health promotion, dementia, frailty and urinary tract and bowel problems. Although the whole textbook is very readable, I found the chapters on elder abuse, falls and falls prevention, visual and hearing loss, as well as pressure sores, palliative care, chronic disease and disability, rehabilitation and the role of the multidisciplinary team, particularly pertinent. The editors have also looked to the future and included information about the expanding role of technology in the care of older people. The changing nature of care is addressed by describing the different systems from hospital to primary care and case management. There is also an informative chapter on long-term care where medicine in care homes and specialist housing is described, giving specific attention to the role of geriatricians in long-term care

The editors have ensured that each chapter is easy to read, well referenced and enlightening. As well as being a joy to read, I found the book extremely useful and I for one will know where to look when I come across a difficult and challenging problem to solve. The Oxford desk reference: Geriatric medicine is a welcome addition to all libraries and will serve readers well. The authors are to be congratulated for writing this beautifully formatted and well-written textbook.

• © 2013 Royal College of Physicians