APPNA Academy

Course Description:

This course is designed to equip physicians and medical trainees with core principles in geriatrics relevant to the outpatient setting. With increasing longevity, primary care providers frequently care for older adults with multimorbidity, cognitive decline, functional impairments, and complex psychosocial needs. This course emphasizes a practical, case-based approach using the 5Ms framework: Mind, Mobility, Medications, Multi-complexity, and Matters Most. Topics include dementia, falls, polypharmacy, depression, delirium, advance care planning, and transitions of care.

Objectives:

At the end of the course, the participants will be able to:
1. Apply the 5Ms framework to clinical decision-making for older adults.
2. Identify and manage common geriatric syndromes such as falls, cognitive impairment, and polypharmacy.
3. Demonstrate person-centered care by incorporating goals of care, functional status, and care transitions into treatment plans.

Mode of Delivery:

Two-hour live Zoom sessions twice a month (1 hour per topic/session), with recordings available for self-paced learning. Each session will include 45-minute didactic + 15-minute Q&A. Content will be uploaded to APPNA MERIT’s learning platform.

Course Director:

Namirah Jamshed, MD
Professor of Internal Medicine & Family and Community Medicine, 
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Course Co-Director:
Umna Ashfaq, MD 
Associate Program Director 
Geriatrics Fellowship Program 
King Abdul Aziz Medical City
Riyadh

Course Faculty:

Dr Umna Ashfaq
Dr Halima Amjad
Dr Asif Khan
Dr. Saleena Gul Arif
Dr Saniya Sabzwar
Namirah Jamshed, MD
Dr Fatima Mahmood
Dr. Shaista Ahmed
Dr Ariba Khan
Dr Abeera Azam
Dr. Fatima Sheikh

Course Duration:

October 5 – January  18, 2025 (Biweekly Sundays)

Time:

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST (6:00 – 8:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time)

From November 2, 2025 onwards: (7:00 – 9:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time)

Target Audience:

Primary: General Practitioners, Family Physicians, Internists, and Geriatricians
Secondary: Residents, Fellows, Medical Students, and Nursing Faculty interested in geriatric care

Assessment Method:

Participants will complete a post-course multiple-choice assessment (20–25 questions). A minimum score of 60% is required for certification.