RESUMEN
This is the second article of a four-part series on gerontology and its applications to the care of elderly patients in nuclear medicine. This article reviews anatomic and physiologic changes and pathology associated with aging. It also discusses tailoring nuclear medicine procedures according to patients' needs and conditions, as well as adopting changes within the nuclear medicine department to better serve older patients. Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: (a) describe normal age-related anatomic and physiologic changes that are observed in older patients; (b) identify common age-related disorders; (c) discuss considerations in tailoring nuclear medicine procedures for older patients; and (d) identify changes in the nuclear medicine facility that would better accommodate older patients.
Asunto(s)
Anciano , Medicina Nuclear , Anciano/fisiología , Envejecimiento/metabolismo , Envejecimiento/patología , Envejecimiento/fisiología , Anatomía , Enfermedad , Arquitectura y Construcción de Instituciones de Salud , Geriatría , Necesidades y Demandas de Servicios de Salud , Humanos , Medicina Nuclear/instrumentación , Medicina Nuclear/métodos , Medicina Nuclear/organización & administración , Servicio de Medicina Nuclear en Hospital/organización & administración , FisiologíaRESUMEN
This is the first article of a four-part series on gerontology and its applications to the care of elderly patients in nuclear medicine. The series includes discussions about the theories of aging, approaches to meeting the special needs of the elderly and ethical dilemmas in caring for the elderly. It also reviews anatomical and physiological changes associated with aging and the role of nuclear medicine studies in caring for the elderly. Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: (a) describe the aging U.S. population by citing demographic data; (b) identify the theories of aging and distinguish their major characteristics; (c) differentiate a gerontologic approach from a geriatric approach in caring for the elderly; and (d) recognize factors important to the delivery of effective care for the elderly.
Asunto(s)
Anciano , Medicina Nuclear , Anciano/fisiología , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Envejecimiento/patología , Envejecimiento/fisiología , Atención a la Salud , Ética Profesional , Geriatría , Necesidades y Demandas de Servicios de Salud , Servicios de Salud para Ancianos , Humanos , Dinámica Poblacional , Relaciones Profesional-Paciente , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
During the course of their jobs, radiologic technologists may encounter older patients who are the victims of abuse. In addition to their role in aiding with diagnosis, radiologic technologists can help in the prevention of elder abuse through an understanding of their ethical and legal obligations and good patient assessment skills. Although health care professionals may be legally mandated to report abuse, a complicating factor is the right of the elderly patient to self-determination. This article outlines some of the factors used in determining whether abuse should be suspected and reported.
Asunto(s)
Abuso de Ancianos/diagnóstico , Tecnología Radiológica , Anciano , Competencia Clínica , Abuso de Ancianos/clasificación , Abuso de Ancianos/legislación & jurisprudencia , Abuso de Ancianos/prevención & control , Ética Profesional , Humanos , Notificación Obligatoria , Defensa del Paciente/legislación & jurisprudencia , Participación del Paciente/legislación & jurisprudencia , Relaciones Profesional-Paciente , Tecnología Radiológica/legislación & jurisprudenciaRESUMEN
Elderly patients have special needs when undergoing radiographic examinations. This article describes three approaches radiologic technologists may use to meet those needs: a gerontologic approach for the well elderly, a geriatric approach for the frail elderly, and a number of departmental adaptations for all older patients. A well-defined science of patient care that includes knowledge of the elderly is essential to the continued growth of the profession of radiography.
Asunto(s)
Servicios de Salud para Ancianos , Radiología/métodos , Anciano , Anciano Frágil , Geriatría/métodos , Humanos , Capacitación en Servicio , Educación del Paciente como Asunto , Radiología/educación , Servicio de Radiología en Hospital/organización & administraciónRESUMEN
"Diffusion of Innovation" is a marketing theory that predicts the pattern of adoption of new products, with specific characteristics of the product determining the rate of adoption. This article attempts to determine whether MRI fits the predicted pattern. A computer Medline search to assess the number of articles printed on MRI shows that MRI is being adopted more slowly than CT, but like CT, MRI is following the pattern predicted by the Diffusion Theory.
Asunto(s)
Comunicación , Difusión de Innovaciones , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Humanos , Evaluación de la Tecnología Biomédica , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos XRESUMEN
"Diffusion of Innovation" is a marketing theory that predicts the pattern of adoption of new products. The characteristics of an innovation and the "diffusion stages" of a new product as it moves toward widespread adoption are described. Then, the predictions of diffusion theory are compared to the pattern of adoption of CT.