Opinion: An aging geriatrician wonders: Who will care for me?
In 1988, I became one of the first U.S. physicians certified in the new specialty of geriatric medicine, which focuses on the health care of older adults. As an idealistic and optimistic 32-year-old geriatrician, I believed that this branch of medicine would undoubtedly emerge as a vibrant field of medicine, benefiting patients and society. I was also confident that when I reached older adulthood, the health care system would be ready to care for me.
I had been drawn to geriatrics for several reasons. I enjoyed caring for my older patients and I valued their appreciation for the care I provided. I also realized that there were 76 million baby boomers out there. The U.S. was on the cusp of a dramatic demographic shift that would have profound implications for its health care system. It was obvious that many health care professionals with specialized expertise in caring for older adults would be needed, and I was excited to be among the first.
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