Geriatric Objectives

• Identify risk factors for suicide in the elderly
• List preventative measures
• To identify the number of nursing home patients in constant pain
• Describe non-communicative indicators of pain
• Identify treatments which increase survival in patients with COPD.
• Describe different management plans for COPD patients
• Outline attributes of clinical practice guidelines
• Specify the methods for developing clinical practice guidelines
• Identify the percentage of late onset asthma with a component of COPD
• To differentiate between late onset of asthma and other respiratory diseases
• To categorize the medications that may cause erectile dysfunction
• To outline different treatment plans
• To identify possible risk factors for osteoporosis
• To outline different tests for osteoporosis
• To evaluate the relationship of restraints and falls
• To specify medication classes which will decrease future fractures due to falls
• Identify age related changes which leave to the development of peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Identify drugs that may have interactions with medical treatment of GERD.
• Categorize stretching exercises suitable for older patients
• Identify the best measuring tool for balance
• Identify the bipolar disorder detected by the Mood Disorder Questionnaire
• Specify effective medications in the treatment of depression in older adults
• Identify how aging amplifies the effects of high salt intake
• Identify how aging effects the ability to taste salt
• Categorize the national percentage of diabetic patients not receiving recommend testing
• Identify "A" rated screening and preventative measures for elderly patients
• Identify the percentage of long term care residents reporting daily pain but do not receive analgesics
• Identify person who is able to make health care decisions for patients who are incapable
• Identify foods with the highest saturated fats
• Identify the difference between different fats
• List general features of the aging brain.
• Describe methods to promote brain fitness.
• Identify symptoms of testosterone deficiency.
• Diagnose the approach to men with erectile dysfunction
• Compare efficacy of newer antipsychotic medications to older generation medications of their kind
• Identify the impact of drug prices on medical care costs
• To discuss Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS) and traditional Chinese acupuncture as treatments for chronic low back pain
• To identify the cause for use of epidural corticosteroids
• Identify percentage of nursing home residents with protein malnutrition.
• List nutrients that impact cognitive function.
• Specify the most common cause of seizures in the elderly.
• Distinguish the differences between seizures in the elderly compared to younger patients.
• Identify the best screening test for dementia.
• Specify the side effects more likely to occur with newer antipsychotic drugs.
• Identify diseases most common to inflict older travelers.
• Identify the best predictor for mortality and discharge destination in the elderly.
• Rank the hazards of hospital beds for the elderly.
• Specify the different types of advance directives.
• Identify barriers to completion of advanced directives.
• Describe changes in the liver that with age.
• Identify sources of new liver cells.
• Identify risk factors for COPD in the elderly
• Specify inflammation as key to the development of COPD
• Identify the primary defect in Parkinson's disease
• Discuss tremor relief in Parkinson's disease
• Identify reasons why Americans are living longer today
• Discuss the negative impact of low literacy on quality of life
• Identify diagnostic criteria for delirium
• Discuss behavior control of elderly patients with post-operative delirium
• Recognize etiology for pulmonary fibrosis in the elderly
• Identify diagnostic criteria for pulmonary fibrosis
• Describe how palliative care may improve quality of life and death for older patients
• Analyze the role of cultural diversity in palliative care
• State reasons for poor access to dental care in nursing homes
• Dispel misconceptions about the role of Medicare and Medicaid in dental care coverage for the elderly
• Identify symptoms of those requiring care in the home
• Discuss demands placed on caregivers
• To identify predictors of morbidity and mortality in geriatric cardiology
• To discuss prevention and treatment options for elderly cardiology patients
• Identify ways to bill Medicare for time spent counseling patients
• Discuss various billing codes
• Identify which organ systems retain good function with normal aging
• Discuss specific changes in the cardiovascular system which can take place in elderly patients
• Analyze the effects hospitalization has on the activities of daily living (ADL) in older patients
• Identify predictors of functional decline in the elderly
• Identify lifestyle choices that contribute to successful human aging
• Discuss the limitations of the role of screenings/examinations in healthy longevity
• Describe the physiologic changes of female sexuality in the aging woman
• Explain the effects of hormones on sexuality in the aging woman
• Discuss the barriers to sexual activity in the aging woman
• Discuss Virginia laws regarding medical malpractice
• Explain the preventative measures in documentation and patient care to decrease risks to patients
• Discuss Virginia laws regarding medical malpractice
• Explain the preventative measures in documentation and patient care to decrease risks to patients
• Identify the indications for Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) in older patients
• Explain the possible adverse effects of Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT)
• Define what constitutes a Special Dementia Care Unit
• Identify what factors make SCUs most effective for patients
• Analyze the impact of SCUs on cognitive and functional performance of patients
• Identify symptoms of transient ischemic attacks
• List risk factors for ischemic strokes in the elderly
• List contributing factors of decreased white cell count in older cancer patients
• Analyze the efficacy of breast cancer screening in elderly women
• Cite the frequency of renal disease in the elderly
• Discuss the therapeutic options for renal disease in the elderly
• Identify the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of influenza
• Review the indications for vaccination and special considerations for use of intranasal vaccine
• Review physiology of mituration
• Discuss lower urinary tract symptoms
• Outline an approach to patients with LUTS
• List fundamentals of Rheumatoid Arthritis, from pathophysiology to its societal impact
• Review methods, tools, and biologic agents useful for overall managment of rheumatoid arthritis
• Identify barriers to pain management
• Review pain assessment methods and tools
• Describe a pain management approach using the T.A.M.E. program
• Review the theory of developing systems approach to patient safety
• Identify patient safety tools and techniques applicable to the Geriatrics population
• Introduce methods of cost-effectiveness into practice
• Describe the clinical application of cost-effectiveness
• Review data about HIV infection in the elderly including epidemiology, and risk factors
• Assess patient response to treatment in HIV infection in the elderly
• Discuss influenza morbidity and mortality in the elderly
• List new methods of decreasing infection and preventing vascular events in the elderly
• Distinguish stroke patterns seen in patients with atrial fibrilation
• Explain the rish of stroke in elderly patients with atrial fibrilation
• Discuss the the risk/benefit of anticoagulation in elderly patients with atrial fibrilation
• Recall the four general causes of behavioral disturbances in the long term care setting
• Detect agitated behaviors in the elderly
• Select appropriate treatments for behavioral disturbances in the nursing home setting Define the most common joint problems in older adults, Indicate strategies for managing joint problems (i.e. weight loss, glucosamine), Assess the risks and benefits of medical and surgical interventions Explain the impact of impaired physical function on Quality of Life, List which medications are associated with an increased or decreased risk of falling, Describe a pain management strategy to maximize physical rehabilitation Identify the components of the metabolic syndrome, Discuss early interventions for mitigating the impact of the metabolic syndrome (e.g. lipid lowering agents), Define the long-term effects of the metabolic syndrome List the major changes in the most recent guidelines for management of hypertension, Indicate the target goals in primary care, Identify the most appropriate antihypertensive medications to use for older patients. Discuss the root causes of agitation, Identify pharmacological and non-pharmacologic interventions, Explain acute versus chronic management Identify medications that are most likely to cause adverse events, Design medication regimens that are least likely to cause adverse events, Discuss medications that may result in unusual presentations of illness Define the role of home care/home-based medicine in the health care continuum, Discuss ways to administer complex medical regimens (IV medications) in the home, Identify methods of securing reimbursement for services provided in the home Discuss evidence-based studies that improve health outcomes for older adults, Interpret the risk/benefit ration of preventive care in older adults, Develop a rational preventive program for older adults Describe the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s Disease, List the most appropriate medications to use when treating older adults with Parkinson’ Disease, Discuss the non-medical strategies used in the care of older patients with Parkinson’s Disease Describe the diagnostic evaluation prior to surgery for the older patient, List the medications that can be used to attenuate the risk of surgery (e.g. beta blockers), Describe the best approach to minimize perioperative morbidity and mortality Identify those at greatest risk for developing breast cancer, Discuss recent recommendations for screening mammography, Define strategies for treating breast cancer in older women Describe the evidence-based recommendations on hormone replacement therapy, Analyze the risks and benefits of estrogen replacement in women, List the risks and benefits of testosterone therapy for post-menopausal women
• Review factors that contribute to healthy aging
• Discuss the role of diet in longevity
• Outline a personal approach to increased longevity