Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine: Innovation in Research, Policy, and Clinical Care

NCE 520 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This longitudinal non-clinical elective will offer HMS students an opportunity to do a deep dive into the Aging and End of Life (EOL) Theme, with the goal of expanding the understanding of the fields of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Medicine. This elective will allow students to work directly with faculty who are leaders in Research, Policy and Clinical innovation in the field of Geriatric Medicine across the aging continuum and in the field of Palliative Medicine across the lifespan, with opportunities to focus on the intersection of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Medicine. Students will participate in three course components in this non-clinical longitudinal elective which we propose being held over a 4-month period:

1. Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Seminar and Workshop series: Includes invited speakers leading innovations in Aging and End of Life Care, as well as interactive workshops. These flipped classroom workshops will focus on applying concepts of Palliative Medicine for seriously ill patients across the lifespan, and the Geriatrics 5Ms of Mobility, Mind, Medications, Multicomplexity and What Matters Most.

2. Field Observation Experiences: Minimum 3 observational experiences in Palliative Medicine and/or Geriatrics where students will shadow in a variety of innovative settings, including clinical, research, health care delivery and policy, providing the learners with a better understanding of the breadth of the clinical translational research spectrum in Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine. 

3. Scholarly Project: students will develop a project related to Geriatrics and/or Palliative Medicine with a faculty mentor. Projects could range from essays or op-eds to innovations for the HMS Aging and End of Life Theme.