Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship

Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship

Program Description

Specific rotations may include:

  • Unit 48:  This 20-bed (plus over-capacity) inpatient unit at Rockyview General Hospital (RGH).  It provides a multidisciplinary approach to assessment and diverse treatments, including ECT, for patients with a primary psychiatric disorder complicated by the aging process.
  • Rehabilitation and Recovery Unit:  As an intermediate step between acute inpatient services and the community, this 20-bed shared care unit at Glenmore Carewest has a multidisciplinary, group therapy-based focus.
  • Community Outreach:  Multidisciplinary teams based at the Sheldon Chumir Centre provide outreach consultation, education and follow-up to patients residing in the community, LTC and assisted living.  There are opportunities to work with a 'Severe and Persistent' team, 'BES' team, satellite clinics in the North and South, and rural locations.  The Geriatric Mental Health Outreach Team, located at the Rockyview Hospital, offers short-term outreach follow-up to patients discharged from Unit 48, the Rehabilitation and Recovery unit and medical & surgical wards at the Rockyview Hospital.
  • Substance Abuse in Later Life (SAILL): Is a community-based program offering psychoeducation, group and individual therapies for seniors motivated to address substance use issues.
  • Urgent Assessment Clinic:  Located at Rockyview Hospital, this teaching clinic provides outpatient mental health consultations.
  • Consultation-Liaison (C-L):  A dedicated geriatric C-L service is located at Rockyview Hospital.  Consultation-Liaison experiences are also available at Glenmore and Sarcee Carewest transition units.
  • MDE & SCU:  Located at a Bethany Care Centre, these specialized units service severely demented elderly with disruptive (often aggressive) behaviours.
  • Geriatric Day Treatment Services:  Outpatient group therapy program located at the in the community.  A "Dealing with Dementia" Day Program for caregivers and patients is offered at Glenmore Carewest.  Consultations are also offered at seniors' health programs including "Comprehensive Care in the Community" Day Program located at Sarcee Carewest.

Educational Objectives

Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes

  • At the end of the fellowship, the fellow will be expected to:
  • Be knowledgeable in the etiology, symptoms and course of mental health diagnoses in the elderly.
  • Be proficient in the assessment, investigation and bio-psycho-social-spiritual management of the geriatric patient.  This includes areas such as capacity assessments, ECT in the elderly, assessing caregiver stress, cultural considerations, elder abuse, end of life issues and the impact of medical issues on presentation and management.
  • Be aware of legislation relevant to the elderly population.
  • Demonstrate appropriate consultation of other health care professionals to optimally care for the elderly patient.
  • Accurately convey and explain information to patients, families, colleagues and other health care professionals.
  • Effectively work as part of a team and be aware of community resources for the elderly.
  • Critically evaluate literature in geriatrics and facilitate learning of others.
  • Be aware of issues surrounding health care delivery of the geriatric patient.

Supplementary Information

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Main Location
Rockyview General Hospital

Level of Training
Post-Specialty Psychiatry Training

Length of Rotation
Twelve months

Funding
An honorarium commensurate with PGY-6 pay is available on a competitive basis. Fellows with a license and qualified to bill Alberta Health Care may bill fee-for-service for up to one day of clinical work per week.

Qualifications
FRCPC or equivalent, licensed to practice in Alberta.

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Supervisors
Dr. Suparna Madan (Section Chief Geriatrics)
Dr. Kent Anderson, Dr. Josh Benjamin, Dr. Erijka Haalboom, Dr. Marlene Smart, Dr. Stuart Sanders

Description of Supervision
A lead academic supervisor will be appointed.  Day-to-day, supervision will be given by the geriatric psychiatrists in the area the fellow is rotating through at the time.

Evaluation Method
Ongoing formal and informal feedback