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The Development and Evaluation of a Geriatric Emergency Medicine Curriculum

  1. Donald B. Witzke PhD1,*,
  2. Arthur B. Sanders MD2,
  3. for the SAEM Geriatric Emergency Medicine Task Force†

Article first published online: 29 SEP 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.1997.tb03745.x

Issue

Academic Emergency Medicine

Academic Emergency Medicine

Volume 4, Issue 3, pages 219–222, March 1997

Additional Information

How to Cite

Witzke, D. B., Sanders, A. B. and for the SAEM Geriatric Emergency Medicine Task Force (1997), The Development and Evaluation of a Geriatric Emergency Medicine Curriculum. Academic Emergency Medicine, 4: 219–222. doi: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.1997.tb03745.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Student Testing and Evaluation, Office of Academic Affairs (DBW)

  2. 2

    University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, Section of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery (ABS).

  1. †

    *The following members of the Geriatric Emergency Medicine Task Force of SAEM assisted in the development of the materials in this project: Edward Bernstein, MD, Boston University, Boston, MA; Raw-den Evans, PhD, MD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Glenn Freas, MD, JD, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA; Darrin Fryer, MD, Kern Medical Center, Bakersfield, CA; David M. Habben, AS, Paramedic, Consultant, Boise, ID; Richard S. Hartoch, MD, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR; Gordon A. Ireland, PharmD, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO; Jeffrey S. Jones, MD, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI; Norm Kalbfteisch, MD, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR; Pamela Kidd, RN, PhD, CEN, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Mark Lachs, MD, MPH, Cornell University, New York, NY; Joseph LaMantia, MD, The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY; Robert M. Mc-Namara, MD, The Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Douglas K. Miller, MD, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO; John E. Morley, MB, BCh, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO; Lidia Pousada, MD, New Rochelle Hospital Medical Center, New Rochelle, NY; David B. Reuben, MD, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; Kathleen M. Richmond, RN, BS, Sisters of St. Casimir Infirmary, Chicago, IL; Sharon Sheahan, PhD, CFNP, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; and Robert H. Woolard, MD, Brown University, Providence, RI.

*Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, MN-103 Chandler Medical Center, Lexington, KY 40536–0084. Fax: 606–323–2076; e-mail: dbwitzl@pop.uky.edu

  1. †

    *The following members of the Geriatric Emergency Medicine Task Force of SAEM assisted in the development of the materials in this project: Edward Bernstein, MD, Boston University, Boston, MA; Raw-den Evans, PhD, MD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Glenn Freas, MD, JD, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA; Darrin Fryer, MD, Kern Medical Center, Bakersfield, CA; David M. Habben, AS, Paramedic, Consultant, Boise, ID; Richard S. Hartoch, MD, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR; Gordon A. Ireland, PharmD, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO; Jeffrey S. Jones, MD, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI; Norm Kalbfteisch, MD, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR; Pamela Kidd, RN, PhD, CEN, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Mark Lachs, MD, MPH, Cornell University, New York, NY; Joseph LaMantia, MD, The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY; Robert M. Mc-Namara, MD, The Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Douglas K. Miller, MD, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO; John E. Morley, MB, BCh, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO; Lidia Pousada, MD, New Rochelle Hospital Medical Center, New Rochelle, NY; David B. Reuben, MD, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; Kathleen M. Richmond, RN, BS, Sisters of St. Casimir Infirmary, Chicago, IL; Sharon Sheahan, PhD, CFNP, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; and Robert H. Woolard, MD, Brown University, Providence, RI.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 29 SEP 2008
  2. Article first published online: 29 SEP 2008
  3. Received: March 20, 1996; revision received: June 19, 1996; accepted: June 26, 1996; updated: September 1, 1996

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Keywords:

  • geriatric;
  • emergency medicine;
  • curriculum;
  • education

ABSTRACT

  1. Top of page
  2. ABSTRACT
  3. REFERENCES

Objective: To summarize the processes used to develop a curriculum and model of care for the emergency medical treatment of elder patients and to assess the efficacy of the teaching material in a pilot course.

Methods: A survey of emergency medicine (EM) residency directors and geriatric fellowship directors was used to identify key topics for inclusion in the didactic material. An interdisciplinary consensus process was used to develop didactic as well as teaching material in geriatric EM. Pretests and posttests were administered to 46 participants in the initial course to assess knowledge gain. Subjective course evaluations were also done.

Results: Test scores significantly increased from 54% correct on the pretest to 77% correct on the posttest (p < 0.001). Significant improvement in knowledge as judged by pretest and posttest results occurred in 6 of the 7 teaching modules. Subjective evaluations demonstrated good to excellent ratings for each module as well as the overall workshop.

Conclusions: The process of developing a curriculum for geriatric EM is described. The initial training of instructors was effective in improving participants' knowledge of geriatric issues in EM. Participants considered the training to be effective. The effect of the training on the emergency care of elder persons remains to be determined.

REFERENCES

  1. Top of page
  2. ABSTRACT
  3. REFERENCES
  • 1
    Sanders AB. Care of the elderly in emergency departments: conclusions and recommendations. Ann Emerg Med. 1992; 21:830–4.
  • 2
    SandersAB (ed) Emergency Care of the Elder Person. St. Louis, MO: Beverly Cracom Publications, 1996.
  • 3
    SandersAB (ed) Instructor's Manual: Emergency Care of the Elder Person. Lansing, MI: SAEM, 1996.
  • 4
    SAEM Geriatric Emergency Medicine Task Force. Elder Persons in the Emergency Medical Care System [videotape]. Lansing, MI: SAEM, 1996.
  • 5
    Miller DK. Recognizing Delirium in the Elder Person, Perspectives for the Emergency Care Professional [videotape]. St. Louis, MO: Beverly Cracom Publications, 1996.
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    Sanders AB. Care of the elderly in emergency departments: where do we stand? Ann Emerg Med. 1992; 21:792–5.
  • 7
    McNamara RM, Rousseau E, Sanders AB. Geriatric emergency medicine: a survey of practicing emergency physicians. Ann Emerg Med. 1992; 21:796–801.
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    Singal BM, Hedges JR, Rousseau EW, et al. Geriatric patient emergency visits. Part I: comparison of visits by geriatric and younger patients. Ann Emerg Med. 1992; 21:802–7.
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    Hedges JR, Singal BM, Rousseau EW, et al. Geriatric patient emergency visits. Part II: perception of visits by geriatric and younger patients. Ann Emerg Med. 1992; 21:808–13.
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