Curriculum Overview
The BCM Geriatrics Fellowship Program provides robust geriatrics education and training experiences. Each July, fellows participate in a month-long geriatrics immersion course covering core geriatric syndromes and defining goals of care. The intent of this course is to introduce fellows to essential geriatric topics and ensure that they are familiar with many of the issues they will encounter during their clinical rotations. Throughout the remainder of the year, these topics are covered in greater breadth and depth, with trainees participating in Geriatrics grand rounds, morbidity and mortality conference, journal club/research course, medical education series, art of presentation series, case conferences and a board review course.
In addition, fellows collaborate in a group quality improvement project. Recent projects have focused on medication safety in long-term care and standardization of outpatient practices around bone health. Each fellow completes an individual academic project that they present at local and national meetings.
They are also mentored in submitting their work for publication. Fellows typically attend the annual American Geriatrics Society or the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine conference.
Sample Block Schedule
Month | Rotation (1 month, unless specified) | Primary Attending |
---|---|---|
July | Acute Care Geriatrics (Four weeks) Houston Methodist Hospital | George Taffet, M.D. |
August | VA Home Based Primary Care (Two weeks) Neurology – Movement Disorder (Two weeks) | Francisco Loaiciga, M.D. Aliya Sarwar, M.D. |
September | VA Intermediate Care - Skilled Nursing Facility Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center | Kristen Gateno, M.D. |
October | Harris Health Consults & Home Visits Harris Health – Ben Taub Hospital | Kim Johnson, N.P. |
November | Wound Care (Two weeks) Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center | Catalina Macias, M.D. |
December | VA Geriatric Psychiatry/GeroPsychology Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center | Aaron Short, M.D. |
January | Acute Care Geriatrics (Four weeks) Houston Methodist Hospital | George Taffet, M.D. |
February | Medical Director (Two weeks) Academic elective (Two weeks) Houston Methodist Hospital | Joe Trumble, M.D. |
March | Value Based Care (Two weeks) Dedicated Senior Medical Center VA Intermediate Care - Skilled Nursing Facility (Two weeks) Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center | Cora Sharfman, M.D. Kristen Gateno, M.D. |
April | Harris Health Consults & Home Visits Harris Health – Ben Taub Hospital | Kim Johnson, N.P. |
May | Quality Improvement & Patient Safety (Two weeks) Houston Methodist Hospital Geriatric Comanagement Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center | Kathryn Agarwal, M.D. Mahveen Sohail, M.D. |
June | VA Hospice and Palliative Care - Consult and Inpatient Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center | Ursula Braun, M.D. |
Note: Skilled Nursing Facility months include time in Wound Care
Continuity
- VA Outpatient Geriatrics Clinic – half a day per week, except during Acute Care months. Can be customized based on the interest of trainee.
- McNair Senior Care Clinic – half a day per week
- St. Dominic Village – half a day every other month
Sample Immersion Course
Date | Topic | Speaker |
---|---|---|
Tuesday | Physiology of Aging | George Taffet |
Wednesday | Telephonic Call | Kristina Little |
Tuesday | Geriatric Assessment | Angela Catic |
Wednesday | Delirium | Kathryn Agarwal |
Thursday | Geriatric Pharmacology | Luz Amar Verma |
Tuesday | Mobility in the Older Adult | Edith Wong |
Wednesday | Depression and Anxiety in the Elderly | Mark Kunik |
Thursday | Introduction to Dementia | Kristina Little |
Tuesday | Wound Care for the PCP | Catalina Macias |
Wednesday | Transitions of Care | Anita Major |
Thursday | Pain in the Elderly | Ursula Braun |