A major strength of the program is its teaching component. Extensive teaching is provided at bedside rounds, didactic conferences and case discussions, in addition to Grand Rounds and monthly journal clubs. A Board Review in Geriatric Medicine is offered annually at the end of the academic year (from April through June) to help fellows prepare for the certification examination.
Trainees are provided the opportunity to develop their teaching skills as they receive instruction in teaching skills with critical appraisal of their presentations. Didactic conferences in geriatric medicine are conducted three times weekly (twelve a month); sessions in geriatric psychiatry are provided periodically and a fellow's teaching conference takes place some afternoons. Weekly Grand Rounds is a feature. The total number of conferences is approximately 20 each month; every attempt is made to avoid repetition of topics (see conference schedule).
The high board pass rate in geriatric medicine of fellows graduating from this program since its inception in 1993 is a testimony to the strong educational component of the program. Ample opportunity is available for clinical research; the program benefits from the services of a bio-statistician interested in medical research.
Several clinical and research or performance improvement related projects have been the basis for publications and abstracts presented in national and international meetings. The program has been the source of numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and books over the years, averaging 10 or more articles annually. An additional strength of the program is the huge opportunity it provides to medical students who chose electives at this site to gain initial exposure to geriatric medicine.