Ask The Expert Geriatric Psychiatry: VA program to support clinicians

Abstract

This symposium addresses a critical need in geriatric psychiatry staffing shortages. The Department of Veterans Affairs is increasingly catering to aging veterans with complex medical and emotional problems. Unfortunately, there is a critical shortage of geriatric psychiatry expertise. The COVID-19 pandemic has further amplified the need for geriatric psychiatry services particularly in rural areas. In an effort to extend the valuable and too-often-scarce resource of geriatric psychiatry expertise, the National Telemental Health Center launched a new consultation service, Ask the Expert program in Geriatric Psychiatry, earlier this year. A team of VA Geriatric Psychiatrists were made available to answer general questions that VA clinicians may have about psychiatric care of older Veterans with potentially complex and interacting psychiatric, medical, neurocognitive, and behavioral care needs. The program aimed to provide a response within 7 days. Providers from the field were encouraged not share any Protected Health Information (PHI) in your questions. The service was not intended to make case-specific clinical recommendations, review patient health records, or respond to psychiatric emergencies.Speaker Prasad Padala will discuss the conceptualization, process of development and the National support needed for actualization of the program. He will also provide an overview of common themes in the questions received so far.Panelists: Dr. Ruchi Aggarwal will review the infrastructure, coverage and day to day operation of the program. She will further discuss the performance of the team.Dr. Donovan Maust will provide illustrative examples of polypharmacy, de-prescription and management of complex medical comorbidities.Dr. Gauri Khatkhate will provide illustrative example for management of neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia.Dr. Susan Schultz will serve as the discussant and will highlight the need for workforce development in geriatric psychiatry. She will also discuss AAGPs efforts in possible targeted certification (e.g., Geriatric Psychopharmacology) and models by other organizations.The symposium will include audience discussion that may include stakeholder input from clinicians, educators, association leaders and staff.