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Establishing an American Geriatrics Society Resident Chapter

SUMMARY
Target Audience
Physicians-in-training at the resident level

Purpose
To stimulate interest in geriatrics among faculty and residents in disciplines concerned with the care of older adults and to enhance residents’ awareness of career opportunities in geriatric medicine

Program
American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Resident Chapters are involved in a variety of educational and mentoring activities to enhance geriatrics recruitment and training

History
The AGS Resident Chapter network began in 2007

Operating Costs
Faculty advisor(s) and administrative staff time; costs for educational programs, social events, and other chapter activities

Outcomes
Since the chapters began in 2007, activities have included case-based geriatrics morning reports, geriatrics career night dinners, resident board review sessions, and journal clubs focused on geriatrics topics

Available Materials
A Resident Chapter application; chapter guidelines; a list of current chapters and contacts—all available on the AGS website

For More Information
Joe Douglas
American Geriatrics Society
(212) 308-1414
jdouglas@americangeriatrics.org

Program Overview

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Resident Chapter network was established to interest physicians-in-training in the field of geriatrics, enhance the visibility of geriatric medicine at the resident level, and provide educational programs on geriatric medicine. CoEs and other geriatrics programs are encouraged to develop an AGS Resident Chapter as a means to recruit trainees into geriatrics fellowships and academic careers.

The AGS Resident Chapter network began in 2007. Chapters are organized by medical school geriatrics programs under the leadership of a faculty advisor. The AGS website contains an updated list of current chapters (see Available Materials).

Resident Chapter goals are:

  • to encourage interest in geriatrics among faculty and residents in the various disciplines concerned with the care of older adults
  • to encourage curriculum developers to include geriatrics in the general curriculum as well as in elective course offerings and multidisciplinary programs
  • to develop educational programs in geriatrics open to the medical school faculty as well as to local health care professionals
  • to promote educational activities within community facilities, such as nursing homes and senior centers.

Program Operations

To establish and maintain an AGS resident chapter, interested groups must fill out an application form, which is available on the AGS website (see Available Materials). The AGS Education Committee reviews applications upon receiving them.

Resident Chapters are expected to submit an annual report on their activities, membership, planned future goals, and the overall progress toward initial stated goals. The AGS provides progress report forms.

Resident Chapters are responsible for notifying the AGS of any change in faculty advisors or resident officers. This can be done annually, when the progress report is submitted.

Staffing Requirements

A geriatrics department/division faculty member must be selected to serve as the Chapter advisor. This provides continuity to the Chapters. The advisor must be an AGS member (if the Chapter has more than one advisor, at least one must be a member).

Program Costs and Funding Sources

Program costs are dependent upon the activities the Chapter undertakes, and can include: faculty advisor and administrative staff time, social events, educational materials, and visiting faculty and lecturers.

The AGS provides $200 to each Resident Chapter annually for program support.

Process and Outcomes Data

Current AGS Resident Chapters have developed a variety of activities, including case-based geriatrics morning reports; resident board review sessions; and journal clubs focused on geriatrics topics.

The Boston University Medical Center chapter hosted a geriatrics career night dinner at which approximately 20 Internal Medicine and Family Medicine residents, 3 Geriatrics fellows, and 10 faculty members from the section of Geriatrics came together to learn about geriatrics fellowship, research, and career opportunities. A similar event was held for at the Tufts-New England Medical Center, attended by 11 residents and Internal Medicine faculty members.

Implementation Lessons

  • Residents are busy and hungry. Host dinners in the early evening so residents can attend them on their way home from work. Having the dinner at the institution, rather than at a restaurant, may increase attendance.
  • It is helpful to get chief residents involved—they are in charge of morning reports and special intern conferences.

Available Materials

Tools/Resources

For More Information

Joe Douglas
Coordinator for Professional Education and Special Projects
American Geriatrics Society
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 801
New York, NY 10118
(212) 308-1414
jdouglas@americangeriatrics.org

Download the program as a PDF file