Polypharmacy in Older Adults

Polypharmacy in Older Adults
University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
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Product ID: 18570

Abstract: 

This product is part of the GeriaSims series of interactive patient care simulations. In this simulation, learners ask history questions, perform virtual physical exams, order tests, consult with specialists and other health care professionals. They will make decisions about diagnosis, treatment, and other issues in the care of an elderly patient with special attention to polypharmacy in older adults, and they will also receive feedback about all actions and decisions. Learners may also ask questions of a simulated mentor to access didactic information about functional assessment. Depending on the learner's level of experience and interest, the simulation takes one to two hours to complete.

GeriaSims interactive patient care simulations are available online, both to accredited medical education institutions for use with students, residents, and fellows. For more information about the GeriaSims series, go to http://www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/igec/resources-educators-professionals/g....

GeriaSims are also available to practicing physicians, physician assistants, nurses and nurse practitioners for CME or CEU credit. To receive continuing education credit, you must register for the Geriatric Lecture Series. For more information, go to http://www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/igec/e-learning/geriatric-lecture-series....

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Educational objectives: 

GeriaSims are interactive experiences during which the learner diagnoses and treats simulated patients. The simulations are designed to provide interactive learning experiences about geriatric syndromes and other issues that are often encountered in the primary care of elderly patients. Learners will be able to improve their overall knowledge about managing common geriatric syndromes; understand the unique health care needs of older patients and differences in the management of common clinical conditions. They will learn how physiologic changes associated with aging impact management; develop a working knowledge of important legal and ethical issues associated with end-of-life care; and understand and apply principles of the multi-disciplinary geriatric assessment.

The learning objectives of this particular simulation are:

  1. Describe and evaluate diverse definitions of polypharmacy.
  2. Identify the characteristics and circumstances that place elderly patients at risk of polypharmacy.
  3. Recognize consequences of polypharmacy in the elderly.
  4. Develop processes to identify and mitigate polypharmacy, and to prevent its occurrence.
Additional information/Special implementation requirements or guidelines: 

These simulations were developed using a software template created by the University of Iowa. They are used in primary care residency programs and rotations for medical students in the clinical years at the University of Iowa, and also offered online for CME credit.

To use GeriaSims, a 256K or faster DSL, cable modem, LAN/Intranet, or other broadband Internet connection; Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, Netscape 8.0 or higher, Firefox 1.0 or higher, Mozilla 1.7.5 or higher, or Safari 1.3 or higher web browser, with Java script enabled; version 8 or later of the Flash Player; and Adobe Reader 5 or later are required. A sound card and speakers are recommended. GeriaSims are best viewed at a screen resolution of 1024 x 768, but can be viewed at 800 x 600.

Date posted: 
Fri, 08/21/2009
Date last updated: 
Fri, 08/21/2009
CME credits available: 
Yes
Has this product been peer reviewed?: 
Yes
If yes, where was it peer reviewed?: 
MedEd Portal
Learning resource types: 
Authors: 
Michael Kelly
Jose Ness
NLM Citation:
Kelly, M and Ness, J. Polypharmacy in Older Adults. POGOe - Portal of Geriatric Online Education; 2009 Available from: http://www.pogoe.org/productid/18570
APA Citation:
Kelly, M and Ness, J. (2009). Polypharmacy in Older Adults. POGOe - Portal of Geriatric Online Education. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from http://www.pogoe.org/productid/18570

Comments

Fri, 11/07/2008 - 3:56pm

Although I think learners at every level can benefit from Geri-Sims--they are a little advanced for medical students especially 2nd and 3rd year students who may not be familiar with all of the medications used to treat all of the many conditions mentioned. GeriSims is comprehensive, but a little unforgiving in terms of not letting you proceed. I can see a medical student become frustrated and/or discouraged--thinking s/he should be more advanced.

Mon, 01/26/2009 - 1:52pm

In gerneral, GeriaSims are somewhat confusing. "... too much information on 1 page. It was hard to figure out the physical exam part. (You had to click exactly on body part.)…Seeing the pt walk... was very helpful."