Practice Models in Geriatric MedicinePractice models in Geriatric Medicine are only limited by the desires and creativity of the practicing physician. It’s not your typical office based practice anymore. Long-Term Care or nursing home visits make up a large proportion of the daily work of a geriatric physician. This was the “bread and butter” for the traditional nursing home doctor. These patients are long-term nursing home patients who live in the facility. Today this isn't the case. Over the past several years there is a new type of “nursing home” patient that isn’t really a nursing home patient at all. These are patients requiring skilled nursing and/or therapy services after a hospitalization who plan on returning home. These are the inpatients of ten to fifteen years ago. They represent a practice model that even some geriatric physicians overlook. Yes, I mean house calls. Not like Marcus Welby, MD delivered, the kind an efficient, knowledgeable and entrepreneurial physician like you can incorporate into a successful Geriatric Practice. Most older Americans are aging in their homes, but many are living concentrated in retirement apartments and assisted living facilities unable to get to their usual doctors. They need and want physicians to come to them. Working as a part-time physician in a primary care practice is just about impossible. The need to produce income is tied to volume. Geriatric Medicine, with its flexibility, isn't. It is perfect for younger physicians with small children, any physician looking to reduce volume and stress, or an older physician looking to slow just a bit, but still remain active in medicine. The traditional office based model isn't the most effective practice type for Geriatrics. It can be done, but won't allow you, the physician, to take full advantage of the unique flexibility possible with Geriatrics. These are just some of the possibilities for you in a geriatric practice. Many more are possible and are limited only by your imagination and drive.
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