Specialty Geriatrics and Palliative Care
-
Featured
New Multidisciplinary Clinic Aims to Improve Surgical Outcomes in Older Adults
A multidisciplinary team at Massachusetts General Hospital offers specialized geriatric assessments and personalized interventions to optimize surgical outcomes in older adults.
-
Pathways Case Record: A Patient With Arteriovenous Malformations
A 68-year-old man with atrial fibrillation and recurrent melena was admitted with multiple episodes of dark, tarry stool and anemia. He was found to have small bowel arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The Pathways Consult Service at Mass General investigated the etiology of this patient's gastrointestinal AVMs.
-
Pneumatic Dilation for Achalasia Generally Safe in Older Adults
Braden Kuo, MD, and colleagues have demonstrated pneumatic dilation for achalasia is safer, overall, for patients ≥65 years of age than for younger patients, as periprocedural adverse events occurred in 2.6% vs. 10.9% of patients (P=0.017).
-
Prior Disability Prevention Training Promoted Resilience of Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Older Adults During COVID-19
Margarita Alegría, PhD, and colleagues previously found that six months of psychosocial and exercise training for vulnerable older adults improved mood and physical function compared with enhanced usual care. They provide evidence that some effects persisted for two to six years—despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
Factors Identified That Support, Impede Improvement in Serious Illness Conversations
Joanna Paladino, MD, and team found "clinical culture" can inhibit serious illness conversations, including beliefs that such conversations are about dying or withdrawing care, attitudes that serious illness communication is only the physician's job, discomfort with managing emotions, and lack of routine processes.
-
Most Prior Drug Allergies Can Be Disproved in Older Adults
John J.O. Accarino, MD, Kimberly G. Blumenthal, MD, MSc, and colleagues in a multicenter registry study found most prior drug allergies reported by adults ages 65 and older were disproved on evaluation in allergy–immunology clinics, including 97% of allergies to penicillin and 95% of allergies to other antibiotics.
Geriatrics and Palliative Care Contributors
-
Christine S. Ritchie, MD, MSPH
Director of Research, Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Director, Mongan Institute Center for Aging and Serious Illness, Massachusetts General Hospital, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Recent Article
Medical Grand Rounds: Chronic Pain in Aging and Serious Illness
-
Emily L. Aaronson, MD, MPH
Assistant Chief Quality Officer, Massachusetts General Hospital, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Recent Article
Social Worker–led Serious Illness Conversations Feasible in the ED
-
Eric L. Krakauer, MD, PhD
Attending Physician, Palliative Care Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Associate Professor of Medicine and Global Health & Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Recent Article
Addressing Global Palliative Care Disparities
-
Juliet C. Jacobsen, MD, DPhil
Recent Article
Training in Serious Illness Conversations Boosts Confidence of Students, Interns -
Leah B. Rosenberg, MD
Attending Physician, Palliative Care Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Recent Article
Group Report: Psychological Aspects of Palliative Care -
Margarita Alegria, PhD
Chief of the Disparities Research Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Recent Article
Prior Disability Prevention Training Promoted Resilience of Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Older Adults During COVID-19 -
Vicki Jackson, MD
Chief, Division of Palliative Care & Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Recent Article
Group Report: Psychological Aspects of Palliative Care
Geriatrics & Palliative Care
The Division of Palliative Care & Geriatric Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital offers a wide range of clinical expertise including inpatient services, outpatient programs and home based programs.