Geriatrics Teaching Program, Topic: Delirium by Dr. Dominic Benjamin

Learning objectives and clinical implications
  1. Understand the definition and core clinical features of delirium in geriatric patients to enable early recognition and timely intervention, thereby reducing morbidity and preventable complications.
  2. Differentiate delirium from dementia and depression in older adults to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate evaluation of potentially reversible causes.

  3. Identify common predisposing and precipitating factors for delirium in the elderly, facilitating risk assessment and implementation of preventive strategies in hospitalized and community settings.

  4. Comprehend the pathophysiological basis of delirium in the aging brain, helping clinicians appreciate the heightened vulnerability of older adults to minor systemic and environmental insults.

  5. Apply validated screening and diagnostic tools such as CAM and 4AT in routine clinical practice, improving detection rates, especially of hypoactive delirium.

  6. Develop a systematic approach to clinical evaluation and investigations, ensuring prompt identification and management of underlying medical, metabolic, infectious, or drug-related causes.

  7. Formulate appropriate management plans with emphasis on non-pharmacological interventions and judicious use of medications, minimizing adverse effects in geriatric patients.

  8. Recognize the prognostic implications of delirium in older adults, including increased mortality, functional decline, and risk of future cognitive impairment, underscoring the importance of prevention and follow-up.

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