Marín P P
Departamento de Medicina Interna, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Rev Med Chil. 1997 Oct;125(10):1207-12.
Chile is experiencing a demographic transition and the causes of death and diseases of elders are similar to those of developed countries. However, these facts do not reflect the real problems that elderly people must face in this country, since they frequently suffer of not well diagnosed or assessed chronic diseases or functional limitations, that render them dependent or prostrated. If Chile wants to improve the physical and mental well being of elders, a global policy towards them must be developed and the financing of health services must be assured. In March 1996, a National Policy for Elderly People, aiming to improve the quality of life of these individuals, was approved by the government. We must successfully prevent and retard functional impairment and divulge the integral geriatric focus, encouraging global assessment, preventing disabilities and protecting functional independence. We must develop specialized Geriatric services in general hospitals, day care centers and rehabilitation units. We must teach the general principles of geriatric practise to health teams. Chile has a few trained specialists in geriatric medicine that must train other professionals. Thus, Medical Schools should expand research and post graduate training programs in geriatrics.
智利正在经历人口结构转型，老年人的死因和疾病与发达国家相似。然而，这些情况并未反映出该国老年人必须面对的实际问题，因为他们经常患有未得到充分诊断或评估的慢性病或功能受限问题，这使他们变得依赖他人或身体衰弱。如果智利想要改善老年人的身心健康，就必须制定一项针对他们的全球政策，并确保卫生服务的资金投入。1996年3月，一项旨在提高这些人群生活质量的《国家老年人政策》获得政府批准。我们必须成功预防和延缓功能障碍，传播全面的老年医学关注点，鼓励进行全面评估，预防残疾并保护功能独立性。我们必须在综合医院、日间护理中心和康复单位发展专门的老年医学服务。我们必须向卫生团队传授老年医学实践的一般原则。智利有一些经过培训的老年医学专家，他们必须培训其他专业人员。因此，医学院校应扩大老年医学的研究和研究生培训项目。
