RCoA 06 - Geriatric care and the value of teamwork

How do we best negotiate working in a multidisciplinary team? Generalisations regarding surgeons and anaesthetists only ever work generally, the specifics of each practitioner and their priorities inevitably contrast. How do we keep sight of these broad differences without falling foul of stereotypes? The conversation evolves; how does the surgical journey fully utilise the team based perioperative approach? With specific focus on geriatric care there is further discussion regarding shared decision making, something which has been part of that discipline for many years. The debate regarding when a patient becomes geriatric is explored. Is it age which defines that or do symptoms and comorbidities qualify the term? Recorded on the first day of the Royal College of Anaesthetists' annual conference at The British Museum. Desiree Chappell and Monty Mythen interview their guests Professor Jenifer Weller, Head of the Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education, University of Auckland and Dr Jugdeep Dhesi, Clinical Lead, POPS and Consultant Geriatrician, Guys and St Thomas' NHS Trust. Join the debate: [email protected]