Geriatric and rehabilitation medicine
Dr H Flamer and Dr A Nunn
Objectives (a) Geriatric medicine At the completion of this subject, students will have, with respect to the elderly, a sound understanding of the requirements of a comprehensive clinical assessment through history, examination and application of commonly used assessment instruments, with respect to medical, psychological, social and functional status; the ageing processes and how pathological processes are differentiated from age-related physiological changes; altered presentation of disease and complications relating to hospitalisation; altered management priorities; the concepts of disability and handicap; issues related to adverse drug reactions and development of appropriate practical prescribing skills; common specific geriatric syndromes; relevant social and demographic issues; application of preventive and health maintenance programs; community support services and institutions for their care; issues relating to resource allocation and palliative care. (b) Rehabilitation medicine At the completion of this subject students will have a sound understanding of the scope of rehabilitation medicine and its role in overall patient care; the requirements of information gathering with regard to physical function, communication, cognitive, psychological, vocational, avocational, social and legal issues; basic methods of assessment of functional capacity and planning of an appropriate rehabilitation program based on this assessment; the impact of disability and handicap on the individual in the community; behavioural aspects of rehabilitation; physical modalities used in management; the management of chronic pain; the evolution of chronic illness and concepts in management of this and of closed head injury, stroke and spinal problems; patterns of recovery in relation to the timing of rehabilitation; the various rehabilitation services available in the community; holistic care and a sensitivity to the role of other health professionals.
Synopsis during the six-week integrated and shared rotation, teaching will include (a) Geriatric medicine Half-day seminars covering the range of topic areas required to meet the objectives, including geriatric assessment, drug therapy, systems-based illnesses and syndromes, ethical issues and resource allocation; bedside clinical teaching and patient clerking; site visits to community based geriatric services; aged care assessment team attachments. (b)Rehabilitation medicine Half-day hospital visits with bedside clinical teaching; site visits to community-based rehabilitation facilities.
Assessment Contribution to MED6003 MCQ * Continuous assessment: reports/presentations and class participation (satisfactory faculty requirement)
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