Geriatric Medicine Residency

Welcome to the Geriatric Medicine Residency Program at the University of Alberta.

Welcome to Our Program

Geriatric Medicine is the branch of medicine that is concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and social aspects of illness in older people.

This two-year subspecialty program in Geriatric Medicine follows three years of Core Internal Medicine training and is approved by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada. Successful completion of the residency training program entails progressing through all transitional stages and completing all Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) as outlined by the Royal College. Though the program is no longer strictly time-based, the following describes the traditional two-year program.

Year One

Subspecialty trainees spend the first year learning the basics of Geriatric Medicine:

• completing comprehensive geriatric assessments,
• assessing and managing acute and chronic illness and common geriatric syndromes,
• learning about the medico-legal aspects of geriatric practice.

Clinical Training

To develop core geriatric medicine skills, two months are spent on in-patient Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) units at two tertiary hospital sites, one month in consultative work in a hospital setting, and one month on an in-patient senior's rehab unit at a tertiary rehabilitation hospital and in outpatient care. Experience in consultation to rural communities through outreach ambulatory clinics is available.

Geriatric Psychiatry and Outpatient Experience

During their first year, residents spend two months in Geriatric Psychiatry at two sites: one focused on more common mood disorders and the other specializing in responsive behaviours in dementia. Residents also participate in a weekly longitudinal Geriatric Medicine outpatient clinic and complete a workshop on decision-making capacity assessment. 

Electives and Specialized Learning

Four elective blocks are available in the first year, allowing residents to pursue career interests or to seek to become a well-rounded clinician. Elective opportunities include fracture liaison service (FLS), movement disorders, pre-operative and peri-operative geriatric assessment, and geriatric oncology. The University of Alberta has been proactive in offering disease modifying therapy (DMT) for Alzheimer's dementia. Residents also attend a Quality Improvement workshop led by our faculty expert. 

Research and Academic Development

Residents benefit from a strong research environment, with faculty expertise spanning continence, frailty, osteoporosis, functional medicine, medical education, quality improvement, among other areas. Dr. William Gibson is the designated research mentor for the residency program.

Year Two

Advanced Clinical Training

During the second year, residents will gain further experience caring for acutely ill older adults on the ACE units and through in-patient consultations.  With increasing independence, residents take on a junior consultant role.

Residents spend a month participating in palliative care service and outreach experiences that include home visits and consultations in supportive living, as well as opportunities to visit community programs and organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Society, the Multicultural Health Centre, the Elder Abuse team, the Public Guardian's office and a driving assessment centre. A further four weeks on ambulatory care provides experience with a range of Geriatrician preceptors.

Research and Quality Improvement

Residents benefit from faculty expertise in areas including continence, osteoporosis, falls, frailty, dementia, postural hypotension, geriatric cardiology, community engagement and quality improvement. Under supervision, residents take a significant role in a scholarly project during their training, supported by a dedicated research block in both the first and second years. 

Residents are encouraged to present their research findings at Resident Research Day and Geriatric Grand Rounds. A dedicated Quality Improvement curriculum is also introduced in the first year of training. 

Academic Learning

An academic half-day is organized every Tuesday afternoon, providing structured educational activities through virtual learning, with selected in-person sessions to foster collegiality and collaboration. This includes Geriatric Grand Rounds, interactive sessions on geriatric syndromes, journal club and presentations by faculty, the Geriatric Medicine residents and Family Medicine-trained Care of the Elderly residents.

• Formal Academic Training - Formal academic sessions start immediately with a Boot Camp geared towards the Geriatric Giants, moving into weekly sessions including guest speakers, faculty speakers as well as journal club, senior core and JAPES sessions.  Resident Wellness events, dedicated study time and the opportunity to practice clinical skills are also part of our Academic Half Day.  Review of material covered occurs approximately once per block.
• Royal College exam prep sessions (SAQ) with faculty are offered at JAPES sessions.
• Geriatric Grand Rounds and interactive sessions on selected geriatric syndromes.
  
• Administrative lectures encompassing many of the CanMEDS roles.
• Professional/Mentorship series that is exclusively geared towards Geriatric Medicine residents is offered at various time throughout the year.
• Many teaching opportunities available - 4th year medical students and residents.
• Funding is available for the residents to attend a conference annually.