Geriatric Medicine Clerkship (IMED 407)

The basis of geriatrics is the assessment and management of frail older persons who have a combination of complex acute and chronic medical problems and functional disabilities. It includes an understanding for and facilitation of continuity of care across settings, in particular the transition from hospital to the community. This foundation will be useful for future physicians, not only in the practice of geriatric medicine, but also in other medical and surgical specialties, since it encompasses the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that practitioners need to care for older people.

During this 4-week clerkship, medical students will have the opportunity to treat and manage frequent geriatric conditions in frail elderly patients, such as falls, delirium and dementia in a longitudinal fashion in different clinical settings. The clerkship is divided into 2 segments: 2 weeks of Acute Geriatrics Ward, and 2 weeks of Consultative Geriatrics. The latter consists of a combination of inpatient and emergency room consultations and ambulatory clinics.