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cover of episode The future of geriatric care

The future of geriatric care

2025/5/16
logo of podcast The Future of Everything

The Future of Everything

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D
Deborah Kado
R
Russ Altman
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Deborah Kado: 作为一名老年病医生,我认为不应该仅仅因为患者年老就将所有健康问题归咎于年龄。我在行医的25年里,看到无数患者克服了年龄带来的挑战,无论他们是92岁还是35岁,都有可能战胜疾病,活出精彩。重要的是要深入了解每个患者的具体情况,找到问题的根源,而不是简单地将其归因于衰老。我希望我的患者明白,他们有能力掌控自己的健康,积极面对生活。 Russ Altman: 我认为老年医学面临的挑战在于,如何让医生和患者都不简单地将医疗问题归咎于年龄。老年病医生需要接受专门训练,以找出问题的根源,而不是仅仅认为疾病是由年龄引起的。我们需要改变对衰老的固有观念,认识到老年人也应该得到尊重和关怀。

Deep Dive

Chapters
Dr. Kado's journey into geriatrics began with a childhood experience at a nursing home, where she interacted with a resident named Ralph. A negative encounter during this experience highlighted ageism, shaping her future commitment to improving care for the elderly.
  • Childhood encounter with nursing home resident Ralph sparked interest in geriatrics.
  • Early ageism experience influenced career path.
  • Desire to challenge negative attitudes towards aging and improve elderly care.

Shownotes Transcript

Deborah Kado) is a geriatrician who believes her field is misunderstood. Her interest in the science of aging began with a childhood encounter in a nursing home but recently resulted in intriguing work in which Kado linked microbes in the gut to vitamin D metabolism and poor sleep. Kado refuses to blame aging alone for health problems, advocating for better care regardless of age. It’s never too late to strive for better health, Kado tells host Russ Altman) on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Deborah Kado, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Stanford University.

(00:03:22) Origin Story in Geriatrics

How a childhood encounter led to Deborah’s career in geriatrics.

(00:06:04) Geriatrics vs. Gerontology

The clinical and research distinctions between the two related fields.

(00:06:58) Rethinking Aging

Reframing aging as a lifelong process rather than decline and loss.

(00:08:34) Patient Care Approach

Why symptoms should be investigated, not dismissed as inevitable aging.

(00:11:33) Linking Bone Health, Gut, and Brain

The surprising relationship between microbiomes, bones, and cognition.

(00:14:34) Vitamin D: Storage vs. Active Form

Why only the active form of vitamin D correlates with microbiome health.

(00:17:22) Gut Health and Sleep

How better sleep quality is linked to healthier microbiomes.

(00:21:20) Medical Education & Geriatric Training

The shortage of geriatrics training in U.S. medical schools.

(00:23:08) Measuring Geriatric Knowledge

The challenges and efforts to measure student knowledge about aging.

(00:27:24) Takeaways for Medical Professionals

Two anecdotes where symptoms were misattributed to old age.

(00:30:51) Empowering Aging Patients

Advice to aging individuals: agency, purpose, and not settling for less care.

(00:34:02) Conclusion

 

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