The Geriatric Medicine Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is a one-year program designed to provide you with a comprehensive in-depth training experience. The program is fully accredited through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and is based at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Designated as a John A. Hartford Foundation "Center of Excellence", and with more than 20 fellowship-trained geriatricians on staff, the Division of Geriatric Medicine is well equipped to provide state-of-the-art training in clinical care, education and research. Upon completion of the program , you will be eligible for the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Certification in Geriatric Medicine.

The Fellowship Program trains physicians to become leaders in geriatric medicine. Training encompasses the full spectrum of clinical care, from prevention to end-of-life care. You will gain expertise in the evaluation and management of complex geriatric syndromes. You will have the opportunity to treat patients in multiple clinical settings and gain an understanding of the interdisciplinary approach to geriatric medicine. You will be encouraged to challenge current paradigms of care and to develop better methods for the care of older adults. You will also be exposed to the diversity of aging research within the University.

• Medical Knowledge:

• To acquire a knowledge base that will allow the fellow to address the unique needs of older adults with multiple medical, cognitive, psychiatric, social, and/or functional impairments
• To learn the scientific method of problem solving, evidence-based decision making, a commitment to lifelong learning, and an attitude of caring that is derived from humanistic and professional values.

• Patient Care: 

• To develop competence in gathering and analyzing information (including patient preferences) needed to practice health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment of older adults with a range of frailty across multiple settings of care (outpatient, home, hospital, long-term care).
• To provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.

• Practice-Based Learning and Improvement:

• Demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate their care of patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve patient care based on constant self-evaluation and life-long learning.  Fellows are expected to develop skills and habits to be able to meet the following goals:
• Identify strengths, deficiencies, and limits in one’s knowledge and expertise
• Set learning and improvement goals
• Identify and perform appropriate learning activities
• Systematically analyze practice, using quality improvement methods, and implement changes with the goal of practice improvement
• Incorporate formative evaluation feedback into daily practice
• Locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to their patients’ health problems
• Use information technology to optimize learning
• Participate in the education of patients, families, students, fellows and other health professionals

• Interpersonal and Communication Skills:

• Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families/caregivers, and interdisciplinary health professionals.  Fellows are expected to:
• Communicate compassionately and effectively with patients, families/caregivers, and the public, as appropriate, across a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds
• Communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing) with physicians, other interdisciplinary health professionals, and health related agencies
• Work effectively as a member or leader of an interdisciplinary health care team
• Act in a consultative role to other physicians and health professionals
• Maintain comprehensive, timely, and legible medical records
• To develop superior educational skills that will allow the fellow to train students and care providers from multiple disciplines

• Professionalism:

• Demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles.  Fellows are expected to demonstrate:
• Compassion, integrity, and respect for others
• Responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self-interest
• Respect for patient privacy and autonomy
• Accountability to patients, society and the profession
• Sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, physical/cognitive disabilities, place of residence (e.g., nursing home, assisted living, low socioeconomic housing), and sexual orientation

• Systems-Based Practice:

• Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources in the system to provide optimal health care.  Fellows are expected to:
• Work effectively in health care systems relevant to geriatric medicine – e.g., outpatient settings, nursing homes, home-based care and hospital
• Coordinate patient care within the health care system relevant to geriatric medicine
• Incorporate considerations of cost awareness and risk-benefit analysis in patient and/or population-based care as appropriate
• Advocate for quality patient care and optimal patient care systems
• Work in interdisciplinary teams to enhance patient safety and improve patient care quality
• Participate in identifying system errors and implementing potential systems solutions