The Family Medicine Program will launch a small but intense one year clinical fellowship in Geriatric Medicine in the summer of 2008. Applications will be accepted after May 2008.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The aging of America makes Geriatric fellowship development a timely endeavor for residency programs in Family Medicine and Internal Medicine.
Geriatric fellowship training differs from the traditional disease based model of medical specialty training. It is the study of a specific a population of people with special needs rather than a disease and procedure. The UT Geriatric Medicine Fellowship will be an exciting year of clinical experience in a broad range of geriatric settings as well as a time to read and reflect on these clinical experiences.
Geriatric care is a team effort. Geriatric Fellows will learn to work with and lead a cohesive multidisciplinary team that goes to the patient where ever they may be; in the hospital, the home, assisted living, long term care facility or hospice.
GERIATRIC MEDICINE FELLOWSHIP CURRICULUM
The training program will provide opportunities for the fellows to develop clinical competence in the overall field of geriatric medicine.
Current scientific knowledge of aging and longevity, including theories of aging, the physiology and natural history of aging, pathologic changes with aging, epidemiology of aging populations, and diseases of the aged.
Aspects of preventive medicine, including nutrition, oral health, exercise, screening, immunization, and chemoprophylaxis against disease. Instruction about and experience with community resources dedicated to these activities should be included.
Geriatric assessment, including medical, affective, cognitive, functional status, social support, economic, and environmental aspects related to health; activities of daily living (ADL); the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL); the appropriate use of the history; physical and mental examination; and laboratory.
Appropriate interdisciplinary coordination of the actions of multiple health professionals, including physicians, nurses, social workers, dieticians, and rehabilitation experts, in the assessment and implementation of treatment.
Topics of special interest to geriatric medicine, including but not limited to cognitive impairment, depression and related disorders, falls, incontinence, osteoporosis, fractures, sensory impairment, pressure ulcers, sleep disorders, pain, senior (elder) abuse, malnutrition, and functional impairment.
Diseases that are especially prominent in the elderly or that have different characteristics in the elderly, including neoplastic, cardiovascular, neurologic, musculoskeletal, metabolic, and infectious disorders.
Pharmacologic problems associated with aging, including changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, overmedication, appropriate prescribing, and adherence.
Psychosocial aspects of aging, including interpersonal and family relationships, living situations, adjustment disorders, depression, bereavement, and anxiety.
The economic aspects of supporting services, including Title III of the Older Americans Act, Medicare, Medicaid, capitation, and cost containment.
Ethical and legal issues especially pertinent to geriatric medicine, including limitation of treatment, competency, guardianship, right to refuse treatment, advance directives, wills, and durable power of attorney for medical affairs.
General principles of geriatric rehabilitation, including those applicable to patients with orthopedic, rheumatologic, cardiac, and neurologic impairments. These principles should include those related to the use of physical medicine modalities, exercise, functional activities, assistive devices, environmental modification, patient and family education, and psychosocial and recreational counseling.
Management of patients in long-term care settings, including palliative care, knowledge of the administration, regulation, and financing of long-term institutions, and the continuum from short- to long-term care.
Research methodologies related to geriatric medicine, including clinical epidemiology, decision analysis, and critical literature review.
Perioperative assessment and involvement in management.
Iatrogenic disorders and their prevention.
Communication skills with patients, families, professional colleagues, and community groups, including presenting case reports, literature searches, and research papers, when appropriate, to peers and lectures to lay audiences.
The pivotal role of the family in caring for many elderly and the community resources (formal support systems) required to support both patient and family.
Cultural aspects of aging, including knowledge about demographics, health care status of older persons of diverse ethnicities, access to health care, cross-cultural assessment, and use of an interpreter in clinical care. Issues of ethnicity in long-term care, patient education, and special issues relating to urban and rural older persons of various ethnic backgrounds should be covered.
Home care, including the components of a home visit, and accessing appropriate community resources to provide care in the home setting.
Hospice care, including pain management, symptom relief, comfort care, and end-of-life issues.
ELIGIBILITY
Graduates of medical schools in the United States and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or graduates of colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or graduates of medical schools outside the United Sates and Canada who meet one of the following qualifications: a currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates prior to appointment, or, have a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a US licensing jurisdiction in which they are training or graduates of medical schools outside the United States who have completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME accredited medical school.
Documentation of Board Certification in either Family Medicine or Internal Medicine or board eligible and actively involved in the process of obtaining certification.
On basis of training, experience and prior academic activity, candidate has a documented interest in geriatrics and demonstrates the desire to add depth and breadth to this knowledge.
In addition applicants must demonstrate general preparedness for geriatrics, including but not limited to, general ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills and personal qualities including motivation and integrity.
Recommendations from prior department chair and faculty members unequivocally support the candidate in his/her effort to study geriatrics with particular comments directed at the candidates demonstrated ability to interact with geriatric patients and their caregivers and that the applicant identifies with Geriatric/Palliative medicine philosophy of care.
Satisfactory background check
APPLICATIONS
We are now accepting application for our Geriatric Fellowship Program. Please complete the application by using our online application form.
Ronald H. Lands, MD
Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Internal Medicine
Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Director
EDUCATION
Undergraduate: Tennessee Tech University
Medical School: University of Tennessee, Memphis, College of Medicine,
Queen’s University of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, Master of Fine Arts
Internal Medicine Residency: University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences, Memphis, TN
Medical Oncology/Hematology Fellowship: University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences
BOARD CERTIFICATION
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
Diplomate, American Board of Medical Oncology
Diplomate, American Board of Hematology
Certificate of added qualifications, Geriatric Medicine
American Board of Hospice/Palliative Medicine
INTERESTS
Hematology and Oncology in the elderly.
Palliative Care
Medical Ethics
Narrative Medicine
Ronald H. Lands, MD
