Recommended Citation
Simpson D, Beckert A, Getzin A, et al. Engaging Clinicians in Geriatrics Education: Geriatrics Fast Facts & Casts. Poster presentation at: Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers Annual Meeting; April 16-18, 2026; Carlsbad, CA.
Presentation Notes
Poster presentation at: Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers Annual Meeting; April 16-18, 2026; Carlsbad, CA.
Abstract
Introduction/Background
Educating clinicians about geriatrics is critical as the U.S. population ages rapidly. The 2020 Census revealed that 1 in 6 people in the U.S. were 65 or older and by 2050, Americans aged 65+ will reach 82 million—23% of the population. Research shows 30% of seniors need care from a geriatrician, but the current supply meets only a fraction of that demand. Most clinicians lack formal geriatrics training, despite the increasing numbers of older adults with complex, multifaceted needs. Integrating geriatrics into medical education ensures all providers can deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care to this growing demographic. Geriatrics Fast Facts (GFFs) addresses this gap with over 115 fast facts on a wide range of topics. These searchable, short, actional briefs are available as text-based education for clinicians. To increase access and availability, we have now added Geriatric Fast Casts (GFCs) that are <10 min podcasts by fast fact authors.
Hypothesis/Aim Statement
To expand GFF / GFC authors to include those whose primary expertise is not geriatrics but have expertise in topics that interface with geriatrics provides a win-win: 1) adding new relevant topic areas to GFF; and 2) increasing these GFFs authors knowledge of geriatrics; 3) increasing authors’ scholarly activity.
Methods
To test this approach, we identified a non-traditional yet critical geriatrics topic – impacts of climate on health – and recruited 3 family physicians (2 faculty and 1 resident) with expertise in that area but limited expertise in geriatrics. We provided guidance re: how to connect the topic to geriatrics, the GFF format and then coached the authors to create two GFFs and one podcast.
Results
The authors had limited/no knowledge of the IHI 4M’s associated with caring for older adults (Matters Most, Medications, Mentation, Mobility) and were provided a brief overview. The authors then drafted the GFFs around climate impacts on older adults. GFFs were reviewed by GFF Editors and with minor edits and published beginning in mid-March 2025 (GFF #109 & GFF #112). To date, these GFFs are in the top 20 most accessed GFFs since their publication. A GFC was recorded and posted August 19, 2025, with 93 GFC downloads to date with the senior author highlighting both GFFs.
Conclusions
This win- win strategy, increases geriatrics relevant topics by tapping expertise of non-geriatrician authors, educating authors about geriatrics, and achieving scholarly activity!
Financial Disclosure
This project is partially supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $5,000,000 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources (FAIN# U1Q53041). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
Type
Poster
Affiliations
Aurora Health Care