[The specialty of geriatrics and geriatric education. The origins and functions of a geriatric department in a general hospital].

In 1973 a geriatric ward was set up as part of the general hospital Hoog-Laren (now part of 'Gooi-Noord'). Its function is the examination, observation and medical treatment of elderly patients showing disordered behaviour. In this article we describe the history, goals, organization and methods/activities of this geriatric ward. Experience taught us that disordered behaviour of elderly patients is not a matter of mental illness, but arises in general as result of a disturbance of the somato-psychic-social equilibrium. Before it is possible to start a specific treatment, we try to determine the nature and extent of the disturbance by examining all known aspects of the somato-psychic-social equilibrium in a multidisciplinary manner. Then a therapeutic plan is designed and a recommendation for the future is given. Recently the activities were extended to include policlinical screening of patients.