Full course description
Course Description
In this comprehensive 10-week course, primary care clinicians will acquire essential skills for addressing the intricate mental health concerns prevalent among older adults. Learners will explore the multifaceted landscape of geriatric mental health, gaining invaluable knowledge on common disorders such as depression, anxiety, substance use, and cognitive impairment.
Throughout the course, learners will be guided through practical strategies for screening, recognition, and management of these disorders, equipping them with the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of mental health care in elderly populations. Through a combination of synchronous sessions and expert-led videos, clinicians will immerse themselves in dynamic learning experiences, enhancing their understanding and proficiency in conducting mental status examinations and assessing for suicidal ideation.
By the course's conclusion, learners will emerge with newfound confidence and expertise, ready to deliver effective mental health care within their primary care settings. Armed with practical skills and evidence-based knowledge, clinicians will be empowered to improve outcomes and enhance the quality of life for aging patients in their care.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Perform a mental status evaluation of an older patient with mental health concerns, including assessment for suicidal thoughts
- Describe the approach for diagnosing depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, grief, and psychotic disorders in older adults
- Discuss the approach for management of older patients with depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, grief, and psychotic disorders
- Recognize psychiatric complications of common neurologic disorders with aging, including Parkinson’s disease and stroke
- Discuss the management of common behavioral disturbances seen in patients with dementia, including wandering, insomnia, anxiety, psychosis and agitation
Key Topics
- Normal Aging
- Mental status evaluation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Substance Use
- Grief and Trauma
- Dementia
- Psychotic Disorders
- Psychiatric complications in medically complex patients: Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and cancer
Target Audience
The intended audience is general internists, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who provide community care to older adults. The course will also be appropriate for residents in internal medicine and family practice.
Instructor Qualifications
Course Director, Susan W. Lehmann, MD, is a nationally recognized subject matter expert in geriatric psychiatry and experienced educator with extensive experience in curriculum development and implementation. She directed the Johns Hopkins psychiatry clerkship for 15 years and currently is the director of the Johns Hopkins geriatric psychiatry fellowship. Dr. Lehmann received the 2016 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry’s Educator of the Year Award. She has presented at the Edmund G. Beacham Topics in Geriatrics course, the Johns Hopkins A Woman’s Journey and has given webinars and Grand Rounds for professional audiences, both in Maryland and nationally. Team members include geriatric psychiatrist, Dr. Cynthia Fields, geriatric psychiatry fellow, Dr. Karen Dionesotes, dementia care nurse specialist, Andrea Nelson, and psychiatric nurse practitioner, Becky Rye, all of whom are experienced clinicians, presenters, and educators.
Certificate
After successfully completing the course, learners will receive a certificate of completion from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Learning Prerequisites
There are no specific course prerequisites. You will need to have English language fluency..
Technical Prerequisites
The course will take place on the Canvas LMS (Canvas.jhu.edu). You will need the ability to log on to the platform, preferably using Google Chrome, to complete the content, which will include videos, readings, and assignments. You may also need to take part in other activities on Canvas.jhu.edu.
- Hardware requirements: computer; webcam; microphone and speakers or headset.
- Software requirements: Google Chrome web browser; access to Canvas.jhu.edu; Zoom web conferencing; Microsoft Office or similar; email
Course Lifecycle and Access
After registering, you will receive an email confirming your registration. You will be granted access to the course, which includes complete course information. Please check the course listing for additional information on course access dates. For synchronous courses, learners will have access to the Canvas course for the duration of the course. For asynchronous courses, learners will have access for 180 days after registration.
Tuition Remission
This course may qualify for tuition remission. Please check https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/tuition-assistance/tuition-reimbursement/noncredit-courses-at-jhu/ for guidelines. If you are interested in using tuition remission, please email the OOE support email with your request.
Refund Policy and Timeline
- Synchronous Courses
- Refunds may be requested up to the start of the live activity, unless otherwise noted. All refund requests will incur a 10% processing fee.
- Asynchronous Courses
- Refunds are not allowed for active asynchronous courses.
Technical Support Statement
Please direct all technical support requests to the OOE support email. We will respond to requests within 24-48 hours. Requests received on weekends, overnights and holidays will be responded to on the next business day.
Accessibility Statement
JHU SOM is committed to providing all participants with the opportunity to pursue excellence in their learning endeavors. This includes providing disability related accommodations and services in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and our goal of delivering accessible, inclusive experiences. If you require accommodations to complete this course, please reach out to the OOE support email. Please do not include any personal identifiable information such as social security number in any messages.
Accreditation
JHU is not approved by Middle States for direct assessment credentials for academic credit. This course results in a certificate of completion. It will not show on any JHU transcripts and does not count toward an academic record.