Geriatric physicians are professional medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing, treating and preventing disease and disability in older adults. Also known as geriatricians, these doctors are specially trained to be an integral part in aiding a patient’s aging process. In practicing geriatric medicine, specialists may treat conditions such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke, Parkinson’s, and sleep disorders. More frequent health concerns affecting the elderly are also focused upon by geriatricians; injuries or conditions relating to pain, falls, and medicinal side effects. In some cases, the doctor must also accurately evaluate whether the patient is able to properly care for him or herself.
Medical science and technological advancements have experienced tremendous expansion in recent decades, resulting in individuals having the ability to live longer and healthier lives. The number of citizens over 65 years of age living in the United States today is at an all time high. This significant increase in the geriatric strata of the population pyramid indicates the rise of specialized medical concerns. Geriatric physicians are specially trained and qualified to address these concerns and alleviate stress on caregivers, family members and friends. WIthin a clinical setting, this unique area of practice specializes on all aspects of health care while working with experienced team of nurses, nutritionists, physical therapists, social workers, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and geriatric psychiatrists.
Dr. Joel Blass discovered early on that he desired to make a difference in people’s lives. With a natural curiosity and enjoyment of the sciences, he easily decided on his path of pursuing a career in medicine. Dr. Blass attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in the Bronx and has been practicing medicine for 30 years.
Where do you currently work Dr. Blass?
Since 1988, I was a partner at Park Avenue Health Care Management, a cutting-edge physician management organization that dealt specifically with long-term care patients, i.e., nursing home and adult home residents, and at the time was the only group that provided such services. Our company was ultimately acquired by IPC Health Care, a publicly traded company based in LA.
How many hours do you work each week?
50+
How much time are you able to spend with your family, friends?
Late evenings, weekends.
Do you have time for hobbies and recreational activities?
Yes, reading, spending precious weekend time with my family in various activities including attending synagogue together, viewing museum exhibits, hiking during warmer months.
My day begins at 5:15 a.m. I’m out of the house by 5:50 a.m., and I arrive at my first nursing home client where I am the medical director around 6:15 a.m. I spend a fair amount of time auditing the work of the attending physicians, and as other department heads start arriving, working with regulatory issues that arise at the facility. I typically repeat this process at other nursing homes that I get to during the day. My day often ends anywhere between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (like now, as I type up the answers to these questions).
Most of what I do is overwhelmingly administrative. All told, I’m personally involved with 8 nursing facilities in a fairly wide geographic range — one of the facilities is 125 miles away! — and I try to get to each of them several times a week.
I eat during the day whenever I can. I brown bag most of my calories, and nosh at my desk at whatever nursing home I happen to be at during the course of the day.
What made you want to become a doctor?
I decided on a career in medicine because I enjoyed the sciences in school and I wanted to make a difference. I was always project- and team-oriented , and working administratively in nursing homes enabled me to do just that.
How competitive is the job market in your area of expertise?
Twenty-six years ago, my field was wide open. It has become very competitive in recent years.
Is forming a private practice a viable option?
These days, in the New York metropolitan area, it is very difficult to run, much less start up a viable practice off of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. The reimbursements have declined significantly, most recently this past January, when the Medicaid Parity payments timed out, while costs have risen.
Should one be building a brand to make him or herself more marketable?
That should always be the case.
What role do referrals play in your practice? Is it important to develop referring doctor relationships?
Relationships are important in every walk of life. The successful practice has always been a function of relationships with your referral sources as much as it has been about delivering high quality.
What steps would you recommend in order to increase success?
What gets you excited about your job and why?
I get excited when the people I work with appreciate my work.
On a scale from 1-10 how hard was it to get where you are now?
Looking back? 10.
What have been the 4 most exciting breakthroughs in your career in the last 5 years?
The sale of our business has been a sentinel event. It was a validating experience. Equally validating was being asked by a major client to direct the medical departments at their other nursing homes.
What one thing would you like to see changed in your field?
More favorable reimbursement rates for primary care physicians.
What do you hope to have accomplished by the end of your career?
Retire. Actually, I’m just pleased to have seen an underserved sector of medicine become an important focus of health care.
What advice would you give someone who wanted to follow in your footsteps?
Reimbursements aside, medicine is still a rewarding field, intellectually AND financially, if you’re willing to think out of the box and try interesting areas. When I first started working with nursing homes, finding well-trained physicians who were willing to take care of nursing home residents was extremely difficult in the New York metropolitan region. Today? No problem.
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