Primary medical care for elderly patients part I: Service mix as seen by an expert panel

A survey of six geriatric experts concerning the normative role content of physicians providing primary care for the elderly emphasizes the importance of distinguishing reversible and irreversible components of a patient's problems and of conducting multidimensional functional assessments. Appreciation of the role of the environment in maintaining functional capacity should be inculcated in practitioners treating the elderly. Medicare payment methods should recognize that the elderly require more professional time for adequate care, and should address transportation needs.Charlotte Muller, PhD, is Professor of Economics and Sociology, City University of New York Graduate School, and Professor of Health Economics, Department of Community Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine.Marianne C. Fahs, PhD, MPH, is Assistant Proffessor in Community Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine.Malvin Schechter, MS, is an Assistant Professor, Ritter Department of Geriatrics and Adult Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine.Supported by a conference grant from the National Center for Health Services Research, Herbert C. Traxler, PhD, project director.A briefer version of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Social Sciences in Health, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1986.The research assistance of Helen Hooke is gratefully acknowledged.