title: Geriatric surgery--evolution of a clinical community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We reviewed the current scientific data and opinions from thought leaders in the field of surgery in the elderly population and queried whether a new society should be formed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The science of geriatric surgery (GS) was reviewed, including topics scientific sessions focused on GS. A town hall meeting was held, which included geriatric surgical scholars. A survey was created to define the interest in GS as a specialty society was sent to surgical scholars.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As the volume of GS scholarly work has increased, the focus of geriatric science has migrated toward clinical studies on frailty and geriatric syndromes. Our town hall meeting outlined the need for a multidisciplinary GS team. Our survey documented more interest in multidisciplinary sessions at national meetings rather than a new, unique society.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GS as a discipline is a multidisciplinary practice. Our data suggest that this unique characteristic speaks to the development of a clinical community rather than an independent society.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 8600 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA; SUNY Downstate School of Public Health, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Electronic address: mzenilm1@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Zenilman
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Katlic
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Ronnie A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003625:Data Collection; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States
keywords: Clinical community; Clinical survey; Geriatric surgery; Multidisciplinary care; Surgery in the elderly