A brief history and lessons learned from twin efforts to transform medicine

In this article, we consider the intersection between the fields of geriatrics and palliative medicine in the United States. Although geriatrics and palliative medicine have sometimes used different strategies to address the same challenges, they have created opportunities where both fields can learn from the experiences of the other. One specialty may be able to learn from issues already dealt with by the other. Because the fields of geriatrics and palliative medicine have so much in common, including health professionals who bridge the two fields, it is the authors' goal to foster greater understanding and collaboration between the specialties and thus strengthen both.