The Geriatric Medicine Residency Program at Western is designed to help the trainee develop exemplary professional attitudes and behaviour toward elderly patients, their families and caregivers, and other members of the health care team. The trainee will develop the knowledge base, clinical and consulting skills, research and administrative experience necessary to practise as a specialist in Geriatric Medicine in either a community or academic setting. This will be accomplished by role modelling and incorporating the CanMEDs key competencies: Medical Expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Manager, Health Advocate, Scholar and Professional throughout the curriculum.
The purpose of year 1 is to gain and enhance the skills necessary to perform comprehensive geriatric assessments in a variety of clinical settings. There is also the opportunity to gain and enhance professional skills by working with a variety of teams. As Medical Expert, the resident is exposed early to the Geriatric Giants through the academic curriculum. During the Administrative Rotation a number of the CanMed roles are taught through a realistic administrative learning project. Geriatric Psychiatry knowledge and skills are emphasized early in the training program to allow for increased confidence in assessing and managing the considerable overlap of Geriatric Medicine and Geriatric Psychiatry issues seen in the complex older adult.
The purpose of year 2 is to move gradually from learner to consultant with responsibility in clinical education and administration domains.
The rationale for having the core hospital placements in second year is to gain the skills and confidence necessary to become an excellent attending physician within the in-patient setting while still receiving the support, mentoring, and clinical expertise of a Geriatrician. The 2 two week blocks are set up to simulate the schedule of an attending Geriatrician on either the ACE or Consultation-Liaison Service.
Elective blocks are available to enhance particular areas of expertise or interest.
Research is encouraged and supported. The timing of this is flexible depending of fellow’s existing expertise, and existing involvement. This will be negotiated at the beginning of the residency and is negotiable in the approval of the residency committee. It is the Resident's responsibility to contact and meet with the Geriatric Medicine Research Mentor within the 1st month of start of Residency to discuss potential research topics, identify supervisor and set up timeline for regular meetings for follow-up.
You will meet with the Program Director to assist you in planning your second year. Electives outside of Western will be considered if all of the criteria from the Schulich “Electives Away” policy are met.
