SUBSPECIALTY TRAINING IN GERIATRIC MEDICINE

							                                    SUBSPECIALTY TRAINING IN
                                       GERIATRIC MEDICINE


The subspecialty residency training program in Geriatric Medicine is a two-year program accredited
by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Subspecialty training residents spend
their first year of training at the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH), Royal Alexandra Hospital
(RAH), and Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (GRH) learning the basics of geriatric assessment,
family and team dynamics, and standardized geriatric assessment instruments. A rotation in
physical medicine and rehabilitation at the GRH, geriatric psychiatry and the Day Hospital is required
and is usually taken in the first year. Electives in subspecialties of particular importance to geriatrics
(such as palliative care, movement disorder, ophthalmology, rheumatology, and urogynecology,
bioethics) can also be arranged in either the first or second year. Ambulatory experiences with
outpatient clinics occur regularly. Telehealth consultation exposure is also available. A continuing
care, longitudinal experience, is in the final stages of organization. There is ample time in the
second year to pursue research objectives.

The internist geriatricians have research interests that include falls, osteoporosis, frailty, dementia,
and postural hypotension. A quality assurance research project is required of all subspecialty
residents, but more extensive research mentoring and experience is available for those who are
interested. Residents are encouraged to present their research findings at Geriatric Grand Rounds
and at national venues.

The Division comprises three full time and one part time Royal College certified internist-
geriatricians. The Division frequently hosts Internal Medicine resident rotators as well as rotating
residents from other Departments (e.g., Psychiatry, Neurology, Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation) in addition to medical students and Family Medicine residents. An Academic Half
Day is organized to provide different structured educational activities every Tuesday. This
encompasses Geriatric Grand Rounds, and interactive sessions on selected geriatric syndromes.
Additional one-to-one sessions with varying staff persons are scheduled with the subspecialty
resident. Administrative lectures, encompassing many of the CanMEDs roles are provided by staff
or guest lecturers.



Contact
                                                            Mr. James Cheung
Dr. Fiona Lawson, MD, FRCPC
                                                            Medical Education Administrator
Program Director, Residency Program in Geriatric Medicine
                                                            Residency Program in Geriatric Medicine
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
                                                            Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital
Division of Geriatric Medicine
                                                            Specialized Geriatrics Program
University of Alberta
                                                            Alberta Health Services, Edmonton Area
c/o Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital
                                                            10230 111 Avenue, Room 1262
10230 111 Avenue, Room 1262
                                                            Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5G 0B7
Ph: 780-407-6947
                                                            Ph: 780-735-8827
Fax: 780-407-2006
                                                            Fax: 780-735-8829
Email: Fiona.Lawson@capitalhealth.ca
                                                            Email: James.Cheung@capitalhealth.ca


Web site
http://www.ualberta.ca/~geriatri/




 Revised 2008 11 04