Module objectives
By the end of this module, you should be able to gather focused information, identify the most likely and most dangerous diagnoses, choose appropriate investigations, begin safe management and communicate the plan clearly.
Core presentations
Falls and mobility
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Delirium and dementia
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Frailty and functional decline
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Polypharmacy and deprescribing
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Urinary incontinence
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Driving safety
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Elder abuse
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Goals of care
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Caregiver stress
Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.
Expected station skills
- Collateral history
- ADL/IADL assessment
- Cognition and delirium screening
- Medication reconciliation
- Capacity and substitute decision-making
Red flags and escalation
- Acute delirium
- Injury after fall
- Medication toxicity
- Abuse or neglect
- Unsafe discharge
- Rapid functional decline
Station rehearsal template
- Read the task and identify the required output.
- Open professionally and establish the agenda.
- Gather focused positive and negative findings.
- Summarize and prioritize the differential.
- State investigations and management in a safe sequence.
- Address the patient’s concerns and understanding.
- Close with disposition, follow-up and safety-netting.
Suggested complete 11-minute stations
Older adult with acute confusion
Recognize delirium, identify precipitants and protect the patient while treating causes.
Recurrent falls and dizziness
Identify orthostatic hypotension, medication effects and modifiable fall risks.
Driving safety in early dementia
Address unsafe driving respectfully, explain next steps and preserve mobility.