Program for Saturday May 06, 2023

Co-Chairs: Lauren Ferrante, MD, MHS & Una Makris, MD, MSc 
The Medical Specialties Section was developed in 2002 by the Association of Specialty Professors project “Integrating Geriatrics into the Specialties of Internal Medicine:  Moving Forward from Awareness to Action,” funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation and Atlantic Philanthropies, Inc. 
The theme of the session this year is "Building Research Networks In Your Specialty.” A multidisciplinary panel of specialists will speak about how to build an aging-focused research network in a specialty, with examples provided of successful research networks. The talks will be followed by a panel discussion and small round table breakouts with the individual speakers. Breakout sessions will be followed by a talk from a National Institute on Aging (NIA) program officer about funding opportunities. All medical and surgical subspecialists, including geriatricians, are encouraged to attend. Breakfast will be provided.

Sponsored by Cancer and Aging Special Interest Group, Research Committee, Palliative Care Special Interest Group and the Junior Research Faculty Development Special Interest Group
Moderator: Megan Huisingh-Scheetz, MD, MPH
This symposium aims to educate geriatricians and other clinicians about state-of-the-art research surrounding sensor-derived measures of vulnerability in older adults and discuss innovative methods of delivering supportive care interventions that local institutions can utilize. Learning Objectives: (1) review the relevance of geriatric syndromes to general and subspecialty care and the main challenges to implementing protocols that screen for and target frailty and functional decline; (2) identify how wearable technology data is linked to traditional assessments of fitness and morbidity in older adults; (3) develop clinically feasible methods of incorporating digital health into standard screening measures of frailty to identify vulnerable older patients with cancer at participants’ local institutions; and (4) describe how sensor-based technologies can help deliver supportive care to optimize the care of older adults with cancer.

Developed by the Teachers Section and the Education Committee 
This workshop presents a forum for teachers of geriatric education to share topics and materials of common interest, such as program development, curriculum, educational process and research in teaching and evaluation. Learning Objective: (1) describe and exchange geriatric education and teaching materials.

Moderator: Quratulain Syed, MD
This session will present the latest peer-reviewed geriatrics research with questions and answers to follow.  Learning Objectives: (1) discuss new and original geriatrics research; (2) describe an emerging concept or new scientific focus in aging research; and (3) summarize the key findings of projects with relevance to care of older adults.  

Moderator: David A. Nace, MD, MPH
Given the lack of a gold standard, the diagnosis and management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in older adults is fraught with challenges. This session will help teach AGS members about ways to improve clinical decision making and infection control. Learning Objectives: (1) review prior interventions to improve UTI management as it relates to older adults; (2) describe different approaches to improving the uptake of clinical guidelines and the use of antibiograms; (3) discuss the clinical hurdles most associated with overdiagnosis of UTIs in long-term care and discuss how clinical decision support may overcome these; and (4) list key elements in the evaluation process of LUTS in older men, with a particular emphasis on non-urologic etiologies.

Moderator: Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP
Physical activity during hospital admissions decreases pain, delirium, deep vein thrombosis, urinary tract infections and pneumonia, prevents functional decline without increasing the risk of falls and improves mood and quality of life. The benefits of physical activity last post hospitalization with ongoing improvement in function, physical activity, resilience, quality of life, and decreased rates of re-hospitalization. Unfortunately, despite these known benefits, most older adults spend the majority of the time when hospitalized in bed. There are many reasons for this from the patient’s perspective, the different members of the health care team, and the environment and policies within the setting. The purpose of this session is to identify these challenges and the ways in which to overcome them. Learning Objectives: (1) describe the challenges associated with engaging patients, including those living with dementia, in physical activity when hospitalized and identify disparities in overcoming challenges between males and females and Black and White patients; (2) demonstrate how to evaluate underlying capability and function of older patients and establish a plan of care related to physical activity when hospitalized; (3) utilize the capability assessment and UMOVE assessment and associated Progressive Mobility Chart to set a plan of care for physical activity of hospitalized older adults; and (4) discuss the four step approach to integrating a philosophy of care that focuses on optimizing physical activity of patients when hospitalized.

Speakers: Kenneth Covinsky, MD, MPH; Eric W. Widera, MD & Alexander K. Smith, MD, MS, MPH   
Back by popular demand! The Geriatric Literature Update is always one of the most highly rated sessions at the annual meeting. The session will focus on the year's most important published papers. Discussion includes the significance of findings and application to patient care.  Learning Objectives: (1) identify areas in clinical medicine where new strong evidence has been uncovered that should affect geriatric practice; (2) describe the results of a critical appraisal of this evidence; and (3) discuss clinical advances in caring for older adults from a review of approximately 30 peer-reviewed journals January-December, 2022.
 

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS), in partnership with the American Federation for Aging Research Clinician-Scientists Trandisciplinary Aging Research Coordinating Center (AFAR Clin-STAR CC) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) are offering the second in-person AGS/AFAR Clin-STAR Mentoring and Grantsmanship Workshop during the AGS 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting. This workshop will offer opportunities for networking, mentoring, insights from senior investigators, DEI efforts in research, and provide attendees with useful information on grantsmanship efforts through breakout discussions. This session is geared towards early career investigators but open to all. Lunch will be provided.

Sponsored by the Home-Based Primary Care Special Interest Group and Society for General Internal Medicine Special Interest Group
Moderator: Mindy J. Fain, MD
The goal of this workshop is to offer a case-based experience, following a single patient’s story through multiple home-based care settings, and allowing participants to make interactive medical decisions in each unique environment together with experts in the field. Learning Objectives: (1) identify why the home-based care continuum is an essential component of systems-based practice to integrate into medical education; (2) apply the 5 Ms to an overarching patient story in the context of resources available in two home-based health care delivery settings: Home-Based Primary Care, Home-Based Palliative Care, Assisted Living Care, Acute Hospital Care at Home, and Transitional Care; (3) describe the role of interprofessional teams in the delivery of home-based health care; and (4) create an action plan for mobilizing existing home-based care models and/or home-based interprofessional team expertise in their current practices and/or teaching roles.

Moderator: Shelly L. Gray, PharmD, MS
This session will present the latest peer-reviewed geriatrics research with questions and answers to follow.  Learning Objectives: (1) discuss new and original geriatrics research; (2) describe an emerging concept or new scientific focus in aging research; and (3) summarize the key findings of projects with relevance to care of older adults.  

Sponsored by the Patient Priorities-Aligned Care for Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions Special Interest Group
Moderator: Mary E. Tinetti, MD
Patient Priorities Care - developed with input from patients, clinicians, health system designers, IT experts, and leaders - aims to align the healthcare of older adults with multiple conditions with their health priorities (i.e. specific health outcome goals and care preferences) and prepare clinicians to translate these priorities into clinical decisions. This workshop is designed as a high yield interactive session for clinicians and leaders who have a desire to provide care aligned with the specific health priorities their older patients who have multiple chronic conditions. Learning Objectives: (1) practice the steps involved in identifying patients’ health priorities; their values, health outcome goals, healthcare preferences, and the one thing that matters most; (2) gain preliminary hands-on experience with aligning care with what matters most to patients, troubleshooting and communicating with patients; and (3) utilize the Implementation Toolkit for Patient Priorities Care implementation.

Sponsored by Research Committee and Geroscience Special Interest Group
This symposium will focus on basic science and translational studies in the past year that will impact clinical care in the next five years. Learning Objectives: (1) discuss the application of today’s bench research to tomorrow’s bedside care focusing on the neurovascular system; (2) review the application of today’s bench research to tomorrow’s bedside care focusing on atrophy of bone and muscle; (3) describe the application of today’s bench research to tomorrow’s bedside care focusing on the cardiovascular systems; and (4) discuss the application of today’s bench research to tomorrow’s bedside care focusing on metabolism.
 

Moderator: Sunny Linnebur, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS, FASCP, BCGP
Presenters: Daniel E. Forman, MD & Ariel R. Greene, MD, MPH, PhD
This session will present key findings related to the assessment of Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) risk in adults over age 75 years and the evidence for LDL-C lowering in this population.  Learning Objectives: (1) discuss limitations of evidence and recommendations related to older adults based on life expectancy, functional status, and cognitive status; (2) review evidence for adverse effects of statin therapies in this population; and (4) describe evidence for deprescribing.

Sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology
Moderator: Alexander P. Auchus, MD 
Learning Objectives: (1) describe how amyloid brain pathology is measured by imaging and CSF biomarkers; (2) describe how blood tests for amyloid and tau can be used in screening for dementias; (3) review the development of monoclonal antibody therapies for AD; and (4) discuss the evidence for and role of amyloid antibodies in treating AD. 

Moderator: Ardeshir Z. Hashmi, MD, FACP
The aim of the Hearing Health Collaborative (HHC) is promotion of increased early recognition of hearing loss (HL) and associated best practices in management of HL by developing a blueprint for optimizing hearing healthcare in the United States based on best practices. Learning Objectives: (1) describe the prevalence, clinical, financial and societal impact of hearing loss (HL) and how lack of HL friendly health system design leads to Ableism & Ageism; (2) explain how to use a simple HL vital sign in every day clinical practice for all patients; (3) describe the impact of effective, efficient HL screening tools on attitudes and behaviors regarding hearing loss and explain how to implement these at the point of care in different clinical settings; and (4) explain the imperative to develop a meaningful HL staging system that proficiently addressed severity, potential ramifications and associated management steps and discuss sharing this with patients.

Moderator: Caroline Blaum, MD, MS
This session will present the latest peer-reviewed geriatrics research with questions and answers to follow.  Learning Objectives: (1) discuss new and original geriatrics research; (2) describe an emerging concept or new scientific focus in aging research; and (3) summarize the key findings of projects with relevance to care of older adults.  

Teaching Faculty and Small Group Facilitators: Vanessa Rodriguez, MD; Helen Fernandez, MD, MPH; Caitlyn J. Kuwata, MD; Nisha Rughwani, MD; Martine Sanon, MD; Olusegun A. Apoeso, MBBS; Veronica Rivera, MD; Fiorella M. Perez, MD; Carl Philippe Rousseau, MD; Lynn Flint, MD; Ayla Pelleg, MD; Lesca C. Hadley, MD, MBA, AGSF, FAAFP; Ugochi K. Ohuabunwa, MD; Pei Chen, MD; Roopali Gupta, MD

Learning Objectives: (1) develop coaching skills as a core skill of leadership-listening; (2) discuss the use of asking powerful questions to illuminate situations and potential mitigations; and (3) describe how to find the leadership potential of others.
 

Sponsored by the Tideswell Special Interest Group
Moderator: Chanel F. Whittaker, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP
This symposium will focus on uncovering structural racism and implicit bias in aging and other identity intersections that is embedded in research, interprofessional practice, education and training. Learning Objectives: (1) describe implicit bias and structural racism and its contribution to health inequities in older adults; (2) improve identification of implicit bias in research focused on older adults and gain knowledge of and apply tools to address those biases; (3) recognize examples of implicit bias in clinical care for older adults and take steps towards becoming an advocate provider; and (4) disseminate novel approaches to interrupt implicit bias in health professions education, clinical care and research.
 

Sponsored by the Oral Health and Aging Special Interest Group and the Tideswell Emerging Leaders in Aging Special Interest Group
Moderator: Liron Sinvani, MD
Oral health and oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) are common, underdiagnosed, mismanaged, and potentially devastating conditions in older adults. Given the vast difference between standard practice and evidence-based care, this symposium is critical for all health professionals caring for older adults across the continuum of care. Learning Objectives: (1) integrate oral health screening and management into daily practice; (2) standardize a screening and diagnostic process for older adults with oropharyngeal dysphagia; (3) lead an informed decision-making process with patients and caregivers regarding decisions for long-term oral intake and its impact on quality of life; and (4) identify risk factors to inform antimicrobial management of aspiration pneumonia.

Sponsored by the Health Systems Innovation - Economics and Technology Committee
Moderator: Lee Lindquist, MD, MPH, MBA, CMD
EPIC is harnessing the AGS Geriatrics Choosing Wisely Recommendations into their next iteration to improve the care of older adults. Presenters in this workshop will go through each of the recommendations and discuss the opportunities available in EPIC and how they can facilitate care of older adults in the real world. Learning Objectives: (1) examine the current utilization of AGS Choosing Wisely recommendations in clinical practice and electronic health records; (2) describe how the AGS Choosing Wisely Recommendations will be available in the newest iteration of EPIC with the potential to improve clinical care of older adults; and (3) detail how the EPIC EHR collaboration with AGS on the AGS Choosing Wisely Recommendations can lead to positive geriatric workflow changes in real-world clinical practices, such as the outpatient, in-patient, post-acute/long term care, and home-based settings.