Program Information

The subspecialty training program in Geriatric Medicine is a 2 year program following 3 years of core Internal Medicine training, approved by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada.

Subspecialty training residents spend their 1st year learning the basics of geriatric assessment and working closely with the interdisciplinary team. This is accomplished with rotations in inpatient Acute Care of the Elderly units (ACE) and in consultative work in a hospital and ambulatory setting. Consultative experience to remote communities through telehealth consultation is also available.

In addition, in their 1st year, the subspecialty resident spends 2 months in both Geriatric ambulatory clinics and Geriatric Psychiatry. Exposure to seniors in an ambulatory setting also occurs on a longitudinal basis throughout the 2 years of training. One month each is spent in Stroke rehabilitation, Geriatric rehabilitation, Palliative Care and in Long Term Care in the 1st year of training.

The 2nd year is geared to the resident’s interests and career goals with the option of selecting from a wide variety of electives.

The 2nd year also involves participation in home visits, assisted living residences, day programs, a community hospital and potentially, a rural setting with Geriatricians outside of Edmonton. During their 2nd year, the resident will have further exposure to the acutely ill senior in the ACE units and in inpatient consultations where a more independent role is anticipated such that the resident functions as a junior consultant.

The internist geriatricians have a wide variety of research interests including osteoporosis, falls, dementia, postural hypotension, quality improvement knowledge translation and urinary incontinence. The resident is expected to conduct a research project during their training. Residents are encouraged to present their research findings at Resident Research Day & Geriatric Grand Rounds. In addition, the resident will also participate in a quality improvement project.

An academic half day is organized every Tuesday afternoon to provide structured educational activities. This includes Geriatric Grand Rounds and interactive sessions on selected geriatric syndromes. Journal club, Clinical skills teaching and presentations by the Geriatric Medicine residents, Care of the Elderly residents and rotating Internal Medicine residents are also given at this time. Administrative lectures encompassing many of the CanMEDS roles are provided during the residency.

The Division of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Alberta is a small but very collegial one that focuses on providing excellent clinical and educational opportunities.

Job opportunities exist in a variety of different settings.

There is a continuing need to train and recruit able young physicians into this intellectually challenging specialty. The University of Alberta is actively leading a program of recruitment for the future.