Geriatric emergency medicine focuses on the unique needs of older adults in emergency settings. This area addresses the complexities of geriatric patients, who often have multiple chronic conditions and may present atypically. Effective management requires a comprehensive approach that considers physical, cognitive, and social factors impacting health. Communication and collaboration with caregivers and families are crucial for optimizing outcomes. Ultimately, the goal is to provide timely, appropriate care while minimizing the risk of functional decline and hospitalization. Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) is the province with the highest proportion of older adults and has the fastest rate of growth of adults 65 years and older. Our researchers attempt to improve the health outcomes of older adults in emergency settings right here in NL.

• Full time: Mike Parsons, Peter Rogers, Gillian Sheppard
• Part-time: Kayla Furlong, Pam Doran, Chris Patey, David Bradbury-Squires

Partnerships and Collaborations:

Falls Decision Rule: Dr. Furlong is collaborating with Dr. Kerstin de Wit (Queen's University) on ground-level falls in older adults that present to the emergency room to determine a simple way to identify those who may require a CT head scan to rule out intracranial bleeding.

Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians: Memorial works with the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP), the country's national voice of emergency medicine. Dr. Furlong is currently the Chair-Elect (2023 2025) of the CAEP Geriatric Emergency Medicine Committee and will serve as Chair as of June 2025 (2025 - 2027). Dr. Furlong is also a lecturer for the CAEP Geriatric Emergency Medicine Course.

Interdepartmental Collaborations: The Discipline of Emergency Medicine, and its faculty, staff and learners, also work with other disciplines in the Faculty of Medicine and several other faculties and departments at Memorial University. Our partnerships at Memorial include: Faculty of Family Medicine: Susan Mercer, Kathleen O'Donnell; Faculty of Medicine: Kim Babb