February 2010

• Announcements
• New Products
• Product Spotlight
• Featured Geriatric Site
• Collaborations
• Annual Meetings

Announcements:

Product Expiration Policy
To assure that POGOe products remain up-to-date, we have implemented a product expiration policy, wherein each product is subject to review every 3 years to ensure the clinical accuracy and relevancy of the material. When a product nears its expiration, the author is sent an email to confirm whether their product needs updating or is still usable as is. You can read the full policy on POGOe.

Restricted Access Policy
Some products on POGOe contain an assessment component or are fully assessment materials. Access to these products is limited to users who are verified faculty at an educational institution. When you see one of these products, you will be prompted to complete and submit a secure materials request form. You can read more about this policy on POGOe.

Would you like your product to be reviewed by your peers?
JAGS (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society) is publishing reviews of POGOe products in their Educational Resources Review section. Volunteer reviewers have asked us for product recommendations. If you would like your product to be chosen for a JAGS review, send an email to Editor@POGOe.org.

A Sample of the New Products on POGOe:

• Depression in Older Adults Part 1: Recognizing the Risks and Diagnosing the Problem #20599 by Pamela Basehore and Stephen Scheinthal
• Outcomes of Complex Reconstruction in the Elderly #20614 by Charles N. Cornell
• Curriculum for an Integrated Geriatric-Oncology-Hematology Fellowship #20612 by Cathy Schubert and Glenda R. Westmoreland

Recent Comments on POGOe Products:

"Good idea. Something other than a lecture to teach a concept is always welcome." (Pills, Pills and More Pills: A Pill Box Exercise to Reduce Polypharmacy #20624)

"Amazing tool. Very helpful for reinforcing new learning." (Indiana University Geripardy #18836).

Product Spotlight:

The Interactive Confusion Assessment Method (iCAM)

The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) was developed by Dr. Sharon Inouye in 1988 to improve the identification and recognition of delirium. Its purpose is to enable non-psychiatrically trained clinicians to identify delirium quickly (under 5 minutes) and accurately (with a sensitivity of 91-97% and specificity of 85-94%). Because CAM can be administered and scored in a few minutes after a patient interview during clinical care, it represents a minimal burden on hospital staff. According to the CAM Training Manual and Coding Guide [Inouye SK. 2003; New Haven: Yale University School of Medicine], this method has become the most widely used instrument for detection of delirium. A note to our readers, the CAM was Dr. Inouye‘s geriatric fellowship project!

In order to help learners to administer, score and interpret the CAM, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and its affiliated VA Medical Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the Harvard School of Medicine, developed the Interactive Confusion Assessment Method (iCAM).It has been adapted with permission from: Inouye SK et. al, Clarifying Confusion: The Confusion Assessment Method: A New Method for Detecting Delirium. Ann Intern Med. 1990; 113:941-8.

The iCAM module begins with a brief introduction to delirium and its symptoms. It then outlines the 4 Steps of the CAM: 1. Acute Change and Fluctuating Course; 2. Inattention; 3. Disorganized Thinking; and 4. Altered Level of Consciousness. During the explanation of each Step the learner is presented with a brief video scenario of a patient‘s progression through the 4 Steps. Before moving on, the learner is asked to answer a multiple-choice question, and is provided with an instant feedback regarding the accuracy of their answer.

Click here for full Editors' Choice product review, to view the product, and to comment and rate this product on POGOe.

Featured Geriatric Site:

This Caring Home – This new website, created at Weill Cornell Medical College and directed by Rosemary Bakker, was awarded a 2009 e-Healthcare Leadership Award. It is a comprehensive resource for caregivers providing useful tips and ideas to help ease the difficult job of caring for someone with dementia. Some of the features include videos, animations, and photographs, as well as expert reviews of home furnishings and smart technologies. A unique and beneficial part of this website is its Home Safety section that allows caregivers to explore research-based solutions by a simple mouse click over a virtual room. Visitors can view virtual caregivers and persons with dementia using safety features such as grab bars, motion sensors, and stove turn off devices. The site also provides an overview of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia that describes what caregivers should expect and be prepared for. If a visitor to the site needs more information, there is a message board to discuss issues publicly, as well as an option to send a private email to the website administrators. Although this website was primarily designed for family caregivers, it will also provide invaluable information, instruction, and support for medical students, physicians, nurses, hospital discharge planners, and other professionals dealing with dementia and memory loss issues. Check out the website at www.thiscaringhome.org.