Doc.com, a repository of 41 learning modules that cover various topics in healthcare, has offered a free demo of their geriatric module product called Module 23: Communicating with Geriatric Patients. Authored by Dr. Brent C. Williams from the University of Michigan Geriatrics Center and Institute of Gerontology and Dr. James T. Pacala from the University of Minnesota Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, this module introduces the learner to the basic skills in communicating with older patients and their caregivers in order to optimize patients’ functioning, management of their medical conditions, and long-term health outcomes. This web module allows the learner to observe the physician’s interaction with different patients so that by the end of the module, the learner will have a better idea of how to communicate effectively with an older patient.

Highlights include annotated videos, including a patient presentation, a clinic encounter and a panel discussion with the clinical team. It is also interesting to see videos of the same clinical problem from both the patient’s view and the physician’s view. There is a menu on the side panel of the screen for easy navigation as well as highlighting key points for the learner. Text and video explain the material and the learner clicks through it. There are several cases presented and Dr. Williams explains his communication process as he goes along. Limitations include a very linear module format, and there is no assessment section to ensure that the learner has grasped the material (see below).

In summary, this web module provides the learner with a self paced tutorial on how to communicate with older patients. Doc.com also offers access to two other modules free of charge. They are the complete modules from the doc.com series - with just one limitation: the assessment feature is not available, which is an important part of the full doc.com version. The Communicating with Geriatric Patients module is accessible online here at POGOe right now!