The Canadian Society of Geriatric Medicine (CSGM) now has a homepage, which can be viewed at www.canger.org. The homepage has links to several hundred other internet sites specific to geriatric clinical care and research. Educational materials and cases, geared to physicians in geriatric practice are provided, as is a listing of recent job postings for geriatricians in Canada. A bibliography of all recent peer-reviewed publications by CSGM members is posted, as is the GAIN (Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network) database.
GAIN is a clinical trials network for members of the CSGM. It is meant to facilitate and coordinate multisite clinical geriatric research in Canada by geriatrics trained physicians, residents and fellows in geriatric medicine, recognizing that most geriatric centres have at least some assessment and research infrastructure in place. Apart from individual projects, such as the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, collaborative geriatric research in Canada has been limited to date.
GAIN is NOT meant to focus geriatric research in particular areas, but instead to facilitate geriatric research that may currently be limited by lack of funding, insufficient sample size, lack of local interest, etc.
How GAIN Works
The CSGM website allows access to GAIN. The CSGM website will promote the exchange of information, scientific skills and research ideas across the country. Research ideas and research protocols can be securely posted at the website. Research ideas can be considered 'fishing expeditions', to attract additional help with developing a research protocol, or to determine general interest in a particular project by other CSGM members. For example, CSGM members interested in a particular project would communicate by e-mail to further develop protocols and compile results.
Access to posted GAIN research ideas and protocols is limited to CSGM members, as is access to the csgm membership and the e-mail addressbook.
Membership costs $50/year and is open to Phds and physicians whose primary focus is research and/or care of the elderly.
Contact Dr. Gary Naglie, at gary.naglie@utoronto.ca, CSGM secretary treasurer to join.
Teaching cases or educational materials, monthly columns, evidence based reviews of geriatric literature and other relevant material can be posted directly on the home page, or by contacting Dr. John Puxty at puxtyj@pccc.kari.net, Dr. Mike Newnham at miken@biostats.uwo.ca, or Gaetane Blom glblom@brktel.on.ca.
Please visit the CSGM home page at www.canger.org for more details.
