International Psychogeriatrics turns a new page: new editor begins his term.

It is a great honor and a privilege to be appointed as the new Editor-in-Chief of the International Psychogeriatrics (IPG), the flagship journal of the premier international geriatric psychiatry organization - the International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA). I am a proud Life Member of the IPA, and have been involved in different activities of the IPA over the past three decades.

Vignettes and Viewpoints From a Professional Autobiography.

In this professional autobiography, the author describes factors contributing to important decisions in his academic geriatric psychiatry career. Major inflection points included embarking on clinical research and later deciding to focus more on leadership roles in education and in faculty affairs. The discussion then examines themes that have emerged in reviewing this career arc, including the value of: the variety and social connectedness inherent in the academic life; cultivation of interpersonal relationships and best efforts as much as possible; an open mind ready to (collegially) seize new opportunities; and family, friends, and avocational pursuits as complements to one's profession. The author hopes that this public life review is of help to others planning or reflecting on their own career paths. .

Psychogeriatrics in England: Its Route to Recognition by the Government as a Distinct Medical Specialty, c.1970-89.

Demographic trends, and older people over 65 years disproportionately occupying beds in psychiatric hospitals, pointed to their increasing clinical needs. Clinical work with older people often required different skills from work with younger people. 'General psychiatrists', nominally working with adults of all ages, usually had little interest in working with older people. By 1977, it was clear to clinical leaders in the field of psychogeriatrics that official recognition of their specialty by the government was essential to ensure service development. Official recognition would provide the means to collect data to identify gaps in services, to obtain information on the implementation of government guidance and to advocate for resources, including ensuring high quality training posts for doctors wanting to specialise in the field. Doctors have traditionally taken the lead in creating new medical specialties, and psychogeriatrics was no exception. However, support fluctuated towards the specialty from the leadership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Health service leaders who did not undertake work with older people, were incredulous that others wished to do so. Negotiations between the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Department of Health and Social Security about recognising psychogeriatrics were convoluted and prolonged. Recognition was achieved in 1989, following intervention by the Royal College of Physicians of London.

Psychogeriatrics in England in the 1950s: greater knowledge with little impact on provision of services.

In the 1950s, the population aged over 65 years continued to increase, and older people occupied mental hospital beds disproportionately. A few psychiatrists and geriatricians demonstrated what could be done to improve the wellbeing of mentally unwell older people, who were usually labelled as having irreversible 'senile dementia'. Martin Roth demonstrated that 'senile dementia' comprised five different disorders, some of which were reversible. These findings challenged established teaching and were doubted by colleagues. Despite diagnostic improvements and therapeutic successes, clinical practice changed little. Official reports highlighted the needs, but government commitment to increase and improve services did not materialize.

[The history of geriatric psychiatry at the University of Montreal: Pioneers, milestones, and future outlook]. / L'éclosion de la gérontopsychiatrie à l'Université de Montréal, une histoire à découvrir.

OBJECTIVES: Geriatric psychiatry became an official psychiatric subspecialty in Canada in 2009. The first board examinations from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) took place in 2013. Geriatric Psychiatry focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of complex mental disorders in late life, a time when the interface between physical and mental health issues often adds a new level of complexity.Little has been written on the history of geriatric psychiatry in Québec and in Canada. A lesser-known aspect is that from the 1970's onwards, the department of psychiatry at the Université de Montréal (UdeM) and its network of teaching hospitals have played a pioneering role in the development of geriatric psychiatry services and training. We seek to recount the history of geriatric psychiatry at UdeM, by tracing the milestones and identifying the main actors responsible for its development, from the inception of the department of psychiatry 50 years ago. This leads us to share reflections on some of the issues geriatric psychiatry is facing in Québec. METHODS: We interviewed several key actors, past and present, of geriatric psychiatry at UdeM. We read through relevant sources such as articles and monographs on the local history of psychiatric services, information bulletins and annual reports from hospitals and from UdeM, as well as other documentation from personal archives. RESULTS: One of the very first geriatric psychiatry services in Canada was founded in 1978 at the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, with a dedicated inpatient unit for new admissions of elderly psychiatric patients. A geriatric psychiatry outpatient clinic was inaugurated the same year at the Pavillon Albert-Prévost. Throughout the years, geriatric psychiatry services were also developed in the remaining hospital sites affiliated with the department of psychiatry at the UdeM (Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal), driven by dedicated individuals, in accordance with their respective historical background and mission. Clinical training is provided in each of these sites for medical students, psychiatry residents and more recently, for future geriatric psychiatrists. In 2014, the geriatric psychiatry residency program at UdeM was the first to be accredited in Québec by the RCPSC, as well as the first French language geriatric psychiatry program in North America. CONCLUSION: Geriatric psychiatry in 2015 is a burgeoning field, in a challenging demographic context. Despite the clinical need, major obstacles remain, particularly in the absence of specific geriatric psychiatry positions. Furthermore, the Québec healthcare system is going through a major restructuration in 2015, adding to the uncertainty. The 50th anniversary of the department of psychiatry at UdeM is an opportunity to underline the contribution of UdeM to the development of geriatric psychiatry in Québec, and to emphasize the specific needs of the elderly in terms of mental health care and geriatric psychiatry services.