Identification and definition of the geriatric patient in a teaching hospital

A consulting service in geriatric medicine was established at Groote Schuur Hospital on 1 November 1981. The first 100 patients referred were compared with 100 patients of 65 years of age and over, selected randomly from the wards from which the referrals were coming, with a view to identifying characteristics of the geriatric patient appropriate to local needs. The findings are discussed against a background of the requirements for adequate care of the elderly, the need to teach geriatric medicine to those whose functions include care of the elderly, and some of the wider social implications in ensuring as equitable a distribution of service as possible. In conclusion a definition of the geriatric patient is offered.