MPAS 622 Geriatrics
This course covers the diseases and disorders as each pertains specifically to the geriatric patient to include diseases and disorders related to neurology, psychiatry, the cardiovascular system, pulmonology, nephrology, gastroenterology, oncology, hematology, endocrinology, metabolism, mobility, rheumatology, and infectious disease, as well as nutrition specific to the geriatric patient. Epidemiology, risk factors, and complications will be discussed. Emphasis is placed on interviewing and eliciting a medical history, performing a focused physical examination, and ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies to evaluate diseases and disorders of a geriatric patient. Management of the geriatric patient from initial presentation through follow-up for acute, chronic, and emergent cases will be covered, as will referral when necessary, preventive medicine, and patient education. Associated medical documentation and clinical skills, as appropriate, will be taught. Topics include items such as approach to the geriatric patient, principles of gerontology, principles of geriatrics, geriatric syndromes, and principles of palliative medicine and ethics to include the unique changes in human physiology that occur in advancing age, the physical changes which occur in normal aging, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life issues, death, and dying. Students will learn through an integrated curriculum to include computer-based, lecture-based, and collaborative instructional modalities that will include classroom, laboratory, simulation, group, community, and clinical experiences.