Selected Geriatric Education Links and Resources

1. Geriatrics Medical Education Resources

A. Teaching Products

• Minimum Geriatric Competencies for Medical Students
  A list of minimum graduating medical student competencies endorsed by the American Geriatrics Society that can assure competent care to older patients by new interns. Developed through a July 2007 AAMC and John A. Hartford Foundation Consensus Conference on Competencies in Geriatric Education, these 26 items are seen as the minimum graduating medical student competencies (learning outcomes) needed to assure competent care to older patients by new interns. Can be found in the POGOe Links frame on the front page of the Portal of Geriatric Online Education. http://www.pogoe.org/Minimum_Geriatric_Competencies

• Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders (ACOVE) - Developed at the University of California at Los Angeles and based on an evidence-based set of quality-of-care process indicators, this site offers office-based forms, patient and physician education resources. For example, the 20 Minute Medicare Exam has been divided into four topic areas: Office Forms, Patient Education, Physician Education, and Slides and Reprints. http://www.geronet.ucla.edu/centers/acove/index.htm

• Brown University Educational Resources in Aging (ERA) - A MyCourses-based website developed by the Reynolds project team at Brown University. The site contains all aging-related curriculum products for medical students, residents, and faculty, including organ system syllabi, problem-based learning cases for students in the clerkship, SIM center cases, aging lecture powerpoints, aging-related exam questions, doctoring course guidelines, and much more. The site also contains a section titled “General Resources” with relevant website tools, research articles, and presentations on education in aging.
  

  Login as Username:“reynolds.guest”
  Password: “aging”

  https://mycourses.brown.edu/webct

• Education on Palliative and End-of-Life Care (EPEC) - To educate all healthcare professionals on the essential clinical competencies in palliative care. http://epec.net/EPEC/Webpages/index.cfm

• GeriaSims - Developed by the University of Iowa Geriatric Education Center, GeriaSims are interactive online learning programs for healthcare professionals and trainees. It includes patient care simulations on issues often encountered in the care of elderly patients. In each simulation, users ask history questions, perform virtual physical exams, order tests, consult with specialists and other health care professionals, and make decisions about diagnosis, treatment, and other care issues. Feedback is provided regarding decisions and users may ask questions of a simulated mentor to access didactic information about the topic of the simulation. http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/igec/e_learning/geriasims/default.asp

• Geriatrics At Your Fingertips - As more guidelines, algorithms and best practice patterns emerge, this online book summarizes the best thinking in current geriatric medicine. http://www.geriatricsatyourfingertips.org/default.asp

• Geriatric Web - The objective of the Geriatric Web is to create a web-based geriatric digital library to be used in the education of health care professionals and in the clinical care of the older patients. Geri Web is a collaborative effort between the Division of Geriatrics at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital, University of South Carolina School of Medicine and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Library. The project was conceived in October 2002 and is funded by a grant from the National Library of Medicine. http://geriatricweb.sc.edu

• GERI Pearls - These downloadable pocket cards are a short concise review of a geriatric topics developed by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatrics. Topics include: Aging Pharmacology, Constipation, Delirium, Dementia, Depression, Falls, Insomnia, Hospital Admission, Pain Management, Palliative Care, PreOp Assessment, Pressure Ulcers, Syncope, Urinary Incontinence and Weight Loss http://app1.unmc.edu/intme/geriatrics/index.cfm?webtype=graphics&CONREF=44

• John A. Hartford Foundation Consortium for Geriatric Residency Training - Educational resources designed to increase the geriatric content of primary care residency training programs. http://sugerc.stanford.edu/index0.html

• Online Geriatrics University (GeriU) - GeriU is a learning management system with e-learning content funded by the Florida Teaching Nursing Home Program. It is an online community for long-term care and geriatrics education intended for medical students, residents, fellows and nurses in Florida. Publicly available content includes online modules on dementia in Alzheimer's disease, pain assessment, the Mini-Mental State Exam and gait and balance assessment. http://www.geriu.org/

• Practice Improvement Modules/ABIM - ABIM’s Practice Improvement Modules are web-based tools that guide physicians through chart abstraction, patient survey and practice system inventory. They are also available on POGOe under “Care of the Vulnerable Elderly”, “Hospital-Based Patient Care”, and other topics. http://www.abim.org/moc/earning-points.aspx

B. Reference Resources

• AgeSource / AgeStats Worldwide - Developed by the AARP, this site describes clearinghouses, databases, libraries, directories, statistical resources, bibliographies and reading lists, texts, and Web "metasites" focused on aging or closely allied subjects and, in most cases, provides Internet links to them. http://www.aarpinternational.org/database/
• Consortium of E-learning in Geriatrics Instruction (CELGI) - CELGI’s mission is to collaborate and facilitate the development and portability of high-quality e-learning materials for gerontology and geriatrics professionals. CELGI is working on developing and incorporating specifications and standards for the creation and evaluation of e-learning materials for geriatric education. http://www.celgi.org
• GEC Clearinghouse – The Clearinghouse provides health professional faculty, practitioners, and students information on aging and geriatric education resources available through the GEC’s. The site is also designed to encourage collaboration among geriatric education providers, reduce redundant efforts in geriatric education programming, and facilitate the identification of areas where further development of geriatric education materials is needed. http://coa.kumc.edu/gecresource/
• Geriatric Best Practices Initiative (and South Carolina Network & Implementation Initiative) - The Geriatric Best Practices Initiative focuses on exploring, evaluating and cataloging over 200 Geriatric Best Practices (senior healthcare and non-healthcare) across South Carolina and the region in order to move one step closer toward meeting the care needs of seniors. http://www.musc.edu/scgec/downloads/SC-GEC%20Best%20Practices%20Compendium.pdf
• Health Sciences Online - HSO provides free, online linkages to a comprehensive collection of top-quality courses and references in medicine, public health, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, basic sciences, and other health sciences disciplines. These materials are donated, hosted, and maintained by our distinguished content partners, so quality is maintained, and materials can be constantly updated. http://www.hso.info
• Society for Hospital Medicine (SHM) Clinical Toolbox for Geriatric Care - SHM’s clinical toolbox was developed by the Geriatric Task Force to provide Hospitalists with a compendium of resources, or “toolbox”, to facilitate and improve inpatient care of the elderly. It affords easy-to-access resources containing the best assessment tools and provides information allowing Hospitalists to quickly locate the best tool for any given clinical situation. http://www.hospitalmedicine.org/geriresource/toolbox/howto.htm
• Texas Consortium of Geriatric Education Centers (TCGEC) - Comprised of nine academic institutions along with a major regional library resource center. TCGEC collaborates to advance the development of health professionals' capabilities to improve the lives of older Texans through better programs, service delivery activities, and resources in the field of aging. http://www.hcoa.org/newsite/tcgec/index.asp
• Wisconsin Geriatric Education Center - WGEC is a formal consortium of academic and health care organizations, formed in 1986 for the purpose of creating educational resources and training opportunities in geriatrics for health professionals, faculty, practitioners, and students in Wisconsin. http://www.wgec.org/

C. Medical and Gerontological Societies and Associations

• Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM) - The nation’s largest academically focused specialty organization, the AAIM includes the Association of Professors of Medicine (APM), the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine (APDIM), the Association of Specialty Professors (ASP), the Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine (CDIM), and the Administrators of Internal Medicine (AIM). Their website includes information about policy, meetings, publications, career development, educational tools, grants and special projects, and surveys and data. http://www.im.org/

• American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) - Resources for physicians and fellows, publications, advocacy, and information about the college of palliative care and palliative care certification. http://www.aahpm.org/

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) - The preeminent provider of musculoskeletal education to orthopaedic surgeons and others. The AAOS provides continuing medical education activities and various medical and scientific publications and electronic media materials. http://aaos.org/

• American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) - Mental health information for older adults and their families. http://www.aagpgpa.org/

• American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) - The second-largest medical specialty board in the United States. The ABFM website includes information about certification and re-certification, residency training, and Family Medicine publications. https://www.theabfm.org/

• American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) - The U.S. board that sets the standards and certifies the knowledge, skills and attitudes of physicians who practice in Internal Medicine and its subspecialties. The ABIM website includes information on certification, practice improvement modules (PIMs), and ABIM publications. http://www.abim.org/

• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) - The nation’s leading group of professionals providing healthcare for women. Their website includes information on advocacy, education, meetings, publications, women’s health, and practice management. http://www.acog.org/

• American Geriatrics Society (AGS), Education Division - A nationwide not-for-profit association of geriatrics health care professionals, research scientists, and others concerned with improving the health, independence, and quality of life of all older people. http://www.americangeriatrics.org/education/

• American Society on Aging (ASA) - ASA is the largest organization of professionals in the field of aging. ASA’s resources, publications, and educational opportunities are geared to enhance the knowledge and skills of people working with older adults and their families. http://www.asaging.org/

• Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs (ADGAP) - A subset of the American Geriatrics Society, ADGAP advances academic geriatric education programs and supports geriatric research. http://www.americangeriatrics.org/adgap/default.asp

• Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) - Devoted primarily to Gerontological education. AGHE helps to develop and sponsor education and training initiatives and to involve students, educators, researchers, and officials from across the country in providing resources for older adults. Website includes information for faculty and students, information about careers in aging, and publications on aging. http://www.aghe.org/site/aghewebsite/

• Gerontological Society of America (GSA) - GSA provides researchers, educators, practitioners, and policy makers with opportunities to understand, advance, integrate, and use basic and applied research on aging to improve the quality of life as one ages. http://www.geron.org/

• National Association of Geriatric Education Centers (NAGEC) - NAGEC supports the national network of Geriatric Education Centers (GECs), dedicated to improving the education/training, supply, distribution and quality of health care professionals through strong community-academic partnerships. Their goal is ultimately to improve the quality of health care for all elderly individuals, including the underserved and minorities. http://www.hcoa.org/nagec/

• Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) - This website lists other websites and organizations providing educators with resources useful for teaching clinical geriatrics. The list is intended to represent resources likely to be useful in any teaching program that focuses on undergraduate or graduate medical education. Descriptions of geriatrics teaching programs or curricula at single institutions are not included. http://www.sgim.org/index.cfm?pageId=269

• Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) - Offers educational tools, resources and information to physicians that will help with the STFM’s mission of improving the health of all people through education, research, patient care, and advocacy. http://www.stfm.org/index_ex.html

D. General Clinician-Educator Resources

• ADGAP Longitudinal Study (Status of Geriatrics Workforce Study) - Since July 2000, the Institute for the Study of Health has been conducting a longitudinal study of training and practice in geriatric medicine. The study tracks progress in faculty development, growth of medical school-based academic programs, and teaching programs for medical students, residents, and fellows, as well as the practice of geriatrics. Data from the study can be used to determine whether recently implemented programs have strengthened physicians' geriatrics training and practice across the United States; to help guide future national policy; and to increase recognition of the importance of geriatric research and training programs. http://www.adgapstudy.uc.edu/Home.cfm

• AAMC-MedEdPORTAL - A web-based approach to online publication that promotes collaboration across disciplines and institutions by facilitating exchange of peer-reviewed medical educational materials, knowledge, and solutions. It is designed to help faculty publish and share educational resources. http://services.aamc.org/jsp/mededportal/goLinkPage.do?link=home

• Center for Research in Medical Education - (at University of Miami Medical School) This center serves as a laboratory for application of advanced technology to medical education. http://www.crme.med.miami.edu/

• Geriatrics in Primary Care Program (GIPC) - Based out of the Stanford Faculty Development Center. Each year six medical faculty are selected for training as Geriatrics in Primary Care (GiPC) seminar facilitators. The 1-month facilitator training course provides participants with the background knowledge and seminar leadership skills they need to deliver a series of eight 2-hour seminars to faculty and residents. http://sfdc.stanford.edu/proggpc.html See also “Stanford Faculty Development Program”

• Geriatrics Interdisciplinary Team Training (GITT) - a training “kit” designed by eight project sites funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation that is aimed towards improving geriatric interdisciplinary team training. http://www.americangeriatrics.org/education/gitt/gitt.shtml

• Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing - The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing seeks to shape the quality of health care older Americans receive by promoting the highest level of geriatric competence in all nurses. http://www.hartfordign.org/

• International Virtual Medical School (IVIMEDS) - IVIMEDS’ mission is to set new standards in medical education at the international level through a partnership of leading edge medical schools and institutions, blending high quality e-learning and face-to-face learning. IVIMEDS has about 40 member medical schools from around the world. http://www.ivimeds.org

• Medbiquitous - A technology site for professional healthcare education. Based on XML and Web services standards, Medbiquitous creates integrated access to educational resources, scientific journals, pharmaceutical and device product information, and clinical trials and registries. http://www.medbiq.org/

• Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program - Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), the John A. Hartford Foundation, and others, MSTAR provides medical students an enriching experience in aging-related research and geriatrics, under the mentorship of top experts in the field. This program introduces students to research and academic experiences that they might not otherwise have during medical school. http://www.afar.org/medstu.html

• Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching (Merlot) - An open resource primarily for faculty and students of higher education. Links to online learning materials are collected along with annotations such as peer reviews and assignments. http://www.merlot.org/Home.po

• Stanford Faculty Development Program (SFDC) - One-month training as Clinical Teaching seminar facilitators. http://sfdc.stanford.edu/

E. Foundations and Funders

• Atlantic Philanthropies - An organization dedicated to bringing about “lasting change in the lives of older adults, with a special emphasis on those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable because of ageism, poverty or poor health.” Atlantic Philanthropies helps to fund projects and organizations such as the International Longevity Center, the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, and the National Council on Aging. http://atlanticphilanthropies.org/

• D.W. Reynolds Foundation (DWRF) - DWRF provides grants to strengthen geriatrics training at individual academic health centers, as well as to train academic health centers’ faculty in geriatrics. http://www.dwreynolds.org/Programs/National/Aging/Aging.htm

• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) - The largest grant-awarding agency in the Federal government and its principal agency for protecting the health of Americans and providing essential human services, often to underserved populations. http://www.hrsa.gov/

• John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) - The Hartford Foundation funds 81 programs spanning the spectrum of geriatrics academic and clinical training. Grants are made in two areas: Academic Geriatrics and Training, and Integrating and Improving Service. http://www.jhartfound.org/

2. Geriatrics Resources - General

A. Geriatric Health Resources

• Aging in the Know - Created by the American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA), this site offers consumer information on health and aging. It translates professional education resources on aging for a public audience, featuring information on common diseases and disorders that affect older adults. It also includes a What to Ask series that provides practical questions and tips to help consumers work with healthcare providers on developing the best care plan for themselves or loved ones. http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow

• CornellCARES - Offers innovative yet sensible practice tools, information, and resources to make geriatric mental health and psychosocial assessments and interventions easier and more effective for all health care and social service practitioners. http://www.cornellcares.com

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) - NIH’s web site for seniors features health information from the National Institutes of Health. http://nihseniorhealth.gov/

• Geriatrics and Gerontology Web Page - This continuously updated website is hosted by the Arizona Health Sciences Library at the University of Arizona with support from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation and the Arizona Geriatric Education Center. It features the most recent evidence based articles and other resources addressing the major geriatric syndromes such as frailty, deconditioning and incontinence. “PubMed Alerts” -- pre-formulated and automatically updated searches on key aspects of these syndromes are provided. Information on broader topics such as Aging Demographics, Health Literacy, Clinical Trials recruiting older patients, Consumer Resources and Professional Associations are also featured. http://www.ahsl.arizona.edu/topics/geriatrics/index.cfm.

B. Aging Associations/Societies/Institutes

• Administration on Aging (AoA) - AoA is the Federal focal point and advocate agency for older persons and their concerns. Through information, referral and outreach efforts at the community level, AoA seeks to educate older people and their caregivers about the benefits and services available to help them. http://www.aoa.gov/

• American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) - AARP is a nonprofit membership organization of persons 50 and older dedicated to addressing their needs and interests. http://www.aarp.org/

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) - CMS is a Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It administers the Medicare program. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/

• International Longevity Center (ILC) - ILC is a research, policy and education organization helping societies address the issues of population aging and longevity in positive and constructive ways and highlighting older adults’ productivity and contributions to their families and to society as a whole. http://www.ilcusa.org/

• National Council on Aging (NCOA) - Founded in 1950, NCOA is a national network of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the health and independence of older persons and increasing their continuing contributions to communities, society and future generations. http://www.ncoa.org/

• National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) - Educates, supports, and speaks for the 50+ million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness, disability, or the frailties of old age. http://www.nfcacares.org

• National Institute on Aging (NIA) - One of the Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health. Provides leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people. http://www.nih.gov/nia/

• Well Spouse Association - Focuses on the needs of all spouses caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled husband, wife, or partner. Those who have “been there and done that” help others face the challenges of long-term caregiving. http://www.wellspouse.org

C. Other

• Health and Age.com - Provides health information for adults age 50+ to educate about a wide variety of medical conditions and assist with communication with health professionals. The information is provided from the perspective that aging is a lifelong process starting at birth, and not something that should be ignored until problems arise. While the site is sponsored by Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, the articles are edited by medical professionals and do not endorse any particular company or product. www.healthandage.com