Woolley D C
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, USA.
Psychiatr Clin North Am. 1997 Mar;20(1):241-60. doi: 10.1016/s0193-953x(05)70403-2.
Considering how tightly interwoven are the strands of mental and physical health in the fabric of late life, it would be unwise for psychiatrists and primary care physicians to continue to insist on separately tracing and mending frayed old threads, each in mostly one direction, occasionally irritated by the shortcomings in the others work, and only occasionally seeking or offering assistance. As reflected in their help-seeking behavior and their characterization of suffering, the elderly often do not see, or do not choose to recognize, the theoretical and professional distinctions we hold so dear. Acknowledging the impact of the unmet needs of elderly patients, and respecting the wisdom of their choices, primary care physicians and psychiatrists have an obligation to work together more effectively. Improved mental health in our geriatric patients will require major efforts in the areas of research, public education, health care funding, and community resource development, as well as in individual patient care. Medical disciplines working in isolation or in opposition will not attenuate these obstacles effectively.
考虑到在晚年生活的结构中，心理健康和身体健康的各个方面紧密交织，精神科医生和初级保健医生继续坚持各自主要沿一个方向分别追踪和修补磨损的旧线，偶尔因对方工作中的缺点而恼怒，只是偶尔寻求或提供帮助，这是不明智的。正如老年人在寻求帮助的行为和对痛苦的描述中所反映的那样，他们往往看不到，或者不选择承认我们如此珍视的理论和专业区别。认识到老年患者未满足需求的影响，并尊重他们选择的智慧，初级保健医生和精神科医生有义务更有效地合作。改善老年患者的心理健康需要在研究、公众教育、医疗保健资金和社区资源开发以及个体患者护理等领域做出重大努力。孤立或对立工作的医学学科无法有效消除这些障碍。
