The Geriatrics and Palliative Care issue of Selected Readings in General Surgery (SRGS) discusses articles relevant to the care of geriatric patients who require surgical interventions as well as features of palliative care that surgeons can use for optimum control of symptoms and quality of life for patients with diseases that cannot be cured.

The goal of this issue is to help surgeons understand methods of evaluating when surgical management is necessary in elderly patients, how to quantify and manage surgical risk (particularly with regards to chronic conditions that may influence operative risk), how to determine when palliative care is indicated, how to effectively communicate available surgical and palliative options to patients, the patient's family, and surrogate caregivers, and how to embrace a team approach to palliative care.

Topic List

• Clinical Assessment of the Geriatric Patient
• Surgical Outcomes in Geriatric Patients
• Perioperative Management of Geriatric Patients
• Education and Training in Geriatric Care
• Injury Management in Geriatric Patients
• Palliative Care for Surgical Patients

This issue includes a self-assessment test that offers the opportunity to earn up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.