노인 응급 진료의 새로운 패러다임: 진료지침 기반 치료와 환자 중심 치료의 조화로운 통합

A New Paradigm in Geriatric Emergency Medicine: The Balanced Integration of Guideline-Based and Patient-Centered Care

Geriatric emergency medicine has been increasingly recognized as a critical field in the context of global population aging. Older adults frequently present to emergency departments with multimorbidity, polypharmacy, cognitive decline, and functional impair-ments, which complicate timely diagnosis and management. Addressing these challenges requires approaches that transcend traditional acute care models, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive geriatric assessments and patient-centered strategies. This study provides a narrative review of current models of geriatric emergency care, with particular emphasis on integrating guideline-based and patient-centered care. This review evaluated their respective strengths and limitations, inves-tigated strategies for combining standardized protocols with individualized approaches, and discussed practical barriers to im-plementation in real-world emergency department settings. By synthesizing recent evidence, clinical guidelines, and illustrative case studies, this study aimed to support the development of sustainable geriatric-friendly emergency systems and contribute to improved quality of care for older adults.