British Geriatrics Society

Special Interest

Many geriatricians have, in addition to the broad spectrum of expertise in medicine in older patients, chosen to practice or research specific clinical and management areas. Each SIG either holds its own six-monthly scientific meetings or provides parallel sessions at the Society’s UK meetings.

The SIGs also respond to government consultation documents, and publish guidelines and policy statements. For example: the Diabetes SIG produced guidelines on how to manage older people with diabetes, entitled, ‘Unified Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Diabetes’; the Drugs & Prescribing Section has run national training sessions on clinical pharmacology for junior doctors; the Gastroenterology & Nutrition SIG has held a popular symposium on under-nutrition in acute illness; the Community & Continuing Care SIG ran a workshop to promote multidisciplinary assessment; the Medical Ethics SIG offered advice to the Lord Chancellor’s Department on legislation covering mental incapacity; the Parkinson’s Disease SIG has held national conferences on adapting science to practice in treating Motor Disability and on Movement Disorders. The SIGs run successful parallel sessions at the Society’s scientific meetings.

Bladder & Bowel Health
This includes popular clinical guidelines on incontinence

Cardiovascular
Promotes links with the British Cardiac Society and other medical societies with a cardiac interest.

Dementia and Similar Disorders (formerly the Cerebral Ageing and Mental Health Section)
The Section is constitutionally part of the British Geriatrics Society, but is affiliated to the Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (FOAP).

Community Geriatrics (formerly known as the Primary and Continuing Care SIG)
This section deals with frailty and the management of long-term conditions. Much of the BGS dignity campaigns are done under the auspices of this SIG.

Diabetes

This SIG aims to draw together, identify and co-ordinate expertise and interest in the field of diabetes amongst members of the Group. It includes the popular guideline: Management of Diabetes in Older People.

Drugs and Prescribing
This section brings together those interested in practice and research in the field of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics of ageing. One of its long standing officers, Sinead O'Mahony has been involved in lobbying for the inclusion of older people in clinical trials

Epilepsy in Older People
Epilepsy is the third most common neurological condition in older people. People over the age of 65 years experience the highest incidence of first seizures and the incidence of epilepsy continues to rise sharply with increasing age, yet it is one of the most misdiagnosed and under-treated conditions affecting older people.

Ethics and Law

This section seeks to provide a forum within the Society for constructive and informed debate on moral issues. It informs BGS policy on matters which have an ethical dimension, e.g. consultation on privately funded drugs and NHS care.

Falls and Bone Health

This popular section draws together act as a focus for multidisciplinary interest and expertise on fall prevention and bone health and to interface with other relevant organisations.

Gastroenterology

This section provides a focus for those in elderly care who have a particular interest in gastro-enterological and nutritional problems.

Movement Disorders

Formerly known as the Parkinson's Disease Section, this Section now covers Multiple System Atrophy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Corticobasal Degeneration, Essential Tremor, Dystonia and other related disorders. It is also under auspices of this section, that the increasingly popular Parkinson's Masterclasses are held.

Stroke

The BGS does not have a Special Interest Group in Stroke. However, the fact that many of our members deal with patients who have had a stroke makes this resource section popular with visitors to be BGS website.

Surgery (POPS)

This SIG was launched in March 2012 against a background of increasing numbers of older people undergoing and benefiting from surgery. The object of the group is to encourage research and models of care which improve outcomes by optimising physical, psychosocial and functional well-being, prior to and following surgery, in older surgical patients. 

Telecare/Telehealth

The BGS Telecare, telehealth and telemedicine special interest group exists to to share experiences and proposals and analyse evidence within the rapidly evolving area of telemedicine. In particular, the Society seeks to ensure that older people are not adversely affected by a clinical decision-making process in which people receive a technology-centred treatment pathway without reference to their clinical ability to benefit.