Obstetrician/gynecologist care considerations: Practice changes in disease management with an aging patient population

Abstract

Demographic changes across the country are leading to an increased proportion of older Americans. This shift will likely lead to changes in the patient population seen by obstetrician/gynecologists, and practices may need to adapt to the needs of older women. This article looks at mental health, sexual health, bone loss, cardiovascular disease and cancer as areas in which obstetrician/gynecologists may experience changes with the increasing age of patients. While this is by no means a comprehensive list of changing areas of practice, it offers a guide for reflecting on the future of obstetrician/ gynecologists training, and the importance of considering the needs of older patients in practice. © 2014 Future Medicine Ltd.