Geriatric Medicine
Welcome to the Geriatric Medicine Residency Program at the University of Alberta.
exclusive
Our division runs the only geriatric medical continence clinic in Canada
unique
Opportunity to work with our certified practitioner in functional and nutritional medicine as well as various other multi-disciplinary team experiences
dedication
All faculty is actively involved with teaching as we are a small dedicated program deeply invested in training
Interview/CaRMS Specific Information
Interview date: September 26, 2023
Interviews are conducted by two panels with two interviewers on each panel. Applicants spend 20 mins with each panel. For the 2023 year, interviews will be held via zoom video. An informal session will be available for applicants to chat with current residents in the program during the interview week.
Goals of selection process: A successful applicant will demonstrate a commitment to enhancing care for the elderly in addition to possessing the academic and personal attributes best suited to a career in this field. This includes superior communication skills, the ability to work well in a team, willingness to advocate for this vulnerable population and an interest in contributing to the educational and/or research goals of the division.
We offer an online chat with our current residents in an information session. This is voluntary but strongly encouraged.
Contact Us
Dr. Aatif Hussain
Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine
1-198 Clinical Sciences Bldg
11350-83 Avenue, University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B7
mahussai@ualberta.ca
780-735-6200
780-492-4829
Amanda Blouin
Program Administrator
geriatri@ualberta.ca
780-248-1345
Dr. Aatif Hussain
Program Director
Amanda Blouin
Program Administrator
Welcome to Our Program
Geriatric Medicine is that branch of medicine which is concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and social aspects of illness in older people.
This 2-year subspeciality program in Geriatric medicine follows 3 years of core Internal Medicine training, and is approved by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada. Subspecialty trainees spend their 1st year learning the basics of geriatric medicine including assessment and management of acute and chronic illness presenting on older people, the comprehensive geriatric assessment, management of common geriatric syndromes and the medicolegal aspects of geriatric practice, working closely with the interdisciplinary team. This is accomplished by spending time in inpatient Acute Care of the Elderly units (ACE), consultative work in a hospital setting and in outpatient care. Consultative experience to remote communities through telehealth consultation is also available.
In addition, in their 1st year, the subspecialty resident spends 2 months in Geriatric Psychiatry and Geriatric ambulatory clinics. Exposure to seniors in an ambulatory setting also occurs throughout the 2 years of training. Additionally, one month each is spent in Stroke rehabilitation, Geriatric rehabilitation 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 elective opportunities including movement disorder clinics, continence clinics, Rheumatology, dermatology, ophthalmology and outreach to name but a few.
A community outreach experience also occurs in the 2nd year and involves participation in home visits, day programs, a community hospital and potentially a rural setting with Geriatricians outwith Edmonton. During their 2nd year, the resident will have further exposure to the acutely ill older person in the ACE units and in inpatient consultations where a more independent role is expected 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 and urinary incontinence. The resident is expected, under supervision, to take a significant role in a research project during their training, leading to successful publication. Residents are encouraged to present their research findings at Resident Research Day & Geriatric Grand Rounds. In addition, the resident will participate in a quality improvement project during their training.
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 resident, Care of the Elderly resident and rotating Internal Medicine residents are also given at this time. Administrative lectures encompassing many of the CanMEDS roles are provided during the residency.
Our Program
The Division of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Alberta is a very collegial one that focuses on providing excellent academic, clinical and educational opportunities.
Program Highlight
Effective Resident Assessment Program - Formal assessments occur daily with timely, useful and personalized feedback, multi-source feedback, along with six month evaluations
Residency at a Glance
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.
Teaching Hospitals
University of Alberta Hospital
University of Alberta hospital, situated in the Walter Mackenzie Health Centre, is the main teaching site for the University of Alberta. The WMC also contains the Mazankowski Heart Institute and the Stollery Children's Hospital. It is the center of a healthcare hub, surrounded by the Kaye Edmonton Clinic, Zeidler Ledcor Centre, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Cross Cancer Institute, Clinical Sciences Building and the Katz Group/Rexall Centre. Every building is connected by a pedway, which is especially helpful during winter. It has an open concept design maximizing resident exposure to sunlight. The WMC also has four coffee shops as well as a 24-hour Tim Hortons. The Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) houses the Geriatric Medicine Division Office.
Royal Alexandra Hospital
The RAH offers an inpatient acute care unit for older adults and provides an inpatient only geriatric consultation service and inpatient acute care unit for older adults with acute medical conditions, and related functional decline.
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital offers a wide range of Geriatric cognitive services to help people recover from injuries and illnesses.
Geriatric Cognitive Neurology Clinic
Geriatric Neuropsychology
Geriatric Outpatient - Medicine
Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic
Geriatrics - Inpatient Rehabilitation
Geriatrics - Inpatient Rehabilitation (Cognitive Behavioural Unit)
Geriatrics - Inpatient Rehabilitation (Psychiatry)
Grey Nuns Community Hospital
Grey Nuns Community Hospital is located in South Edmonton, approximately 20 minutes by car from the University Hospital. Residents are required to do one rotation in the first year on the Geriatric Outpatient unit.
Geriatric Outpatient - Medicine
Misericordia Community Hospital
Misericordia Community Hospital is located in West Edmonton. Residents may select a rotation at the MIS for an elective.
Geriatric Health Services Inpatient Services
Geriatric Outpatient - Medicine
Kaye Edmonton Clinic
Kaye Edmonton Clinic (KEC) is home to nearly 100 specialized outpatient clinics, conveniently located under one roof. Together, multi-disciplinary teams provide services including diagnosis, consultation, treatment and rehabilitation services. The KAYE is the location of the Seniors Clinic where most Geriatricians hold weekly clinics.
Senior's Clinic
Additional Interview information
Program Supports
- 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.
Resident Testimonials
Our residents share some of their experiences with our program as well as what they like about Edmonton, their highlights of the program, and one piece of advice for applicants about the interview process. Here is what a few of them had to say.
What do you like about Edmonton: My favorite feature of Edmonton is that it has a very large trail system within the city perfect for running, walking, and biking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter.
What are the highlights of the program for you: There are many great features of our residency program, but some of the highlights include our supportive and invested staff physicians and administrative staff, the flexibility of the program allowing us to tailor our rotations and academic half day to our needs and interests, and the abundance of clinical expertise within the department.
What is one piece of advice that you want to share with applicants about the interview process: Try not to be nervous; we are a very collegial group and just want to get to know you better!
Dr. Paula Horsley (Recipient of the 2021 Dr. Peter McCracken Legacy Scholarship)
Chief Resident 2021-2022
Like so many residents, prior to my elective in Edmonton, I really did not know much the city, let alone its geriatric program.
However, even after shortly arriving for an elective, I was struck by the friendliness and size of the geriatric department and this was before I had chance to experience any clinical work!
Edmonton has a wide variety of geriatric resources and opportunities available to the budding geriatrician. These range from inpatient experiences on one of our two ACE units, working with the geriatric psychiatry or rehab team at the Glenrose Rehabilitation hospital to delving into some of the community resources available, i.e. CHOICE. In addition, we also have strong connections with the care of the elderly program with whom scheduled weekly teaching is held along with frequent partnerships together on several rotations. Another consideration is that there are jobs available at the end of the fellowship which is an important consideration nowadays.
Therefore, even if Edmonton was not on your list of choices, consider it now! I took a gamble and have never looked back since!
Dr. Frances Carr
In 2012 I was confronted with the need to decide on my professional future. My path was clear as I wanted a career devoted to the care of one of our most vulnerable population: the elderly.
However, there were many options to choose from and how would I reach my goal. I choose the University of Alberta - Geriatric Medicine Program. It was my best choice! It is a well-structured program, with core clinical rotations aimed to provide a balanced and diverse exposure to patients in many different settings.
The Geriatricians at the University of Alberta come from many different backgrounds and a multitude of interests, which makes for a very enjoyable, supportive, and nurturing environment. I am proud that I could say that I completed my fellowship training in Geriatric Medicine at the University of Alberta!
Dr. Cesar Rodriguez Velez
What do you like about Edmonton: I completed my Internal Medicine residency in Edmonton and fell in love with the city. Edmonton is very welcoming and accommodating especially for young families. We enjoy spending lots of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds and trails throughout the year.
What are the highlights of the program for you: Having access to an Acute Care of the Elderly unit in two different hospitals is something to highlight in our program. There is a sense of collegiality between the staff and the subspeciality residents.