Geriatric Research Education
Clinical Center
(GRECC)
Institutional Facts
The Geriatric Research, Education, Clinical Center (GRECC) program was established by the VA in 1975, with a mission to design services that were effective and appropriate in meeting the medical, psychological, and social needs of older veterans. This is achieved by expanding basic and applied knowledge of the aging process, diseases associated with aging, and health systems research, and sharing that knowledge with health-care providers and the community. Each GRECC has an identified focus of research in basic biomedical, clinical and health services areas; develops clinical care models, such as the Geriatric Evaluation and Management Program; and educates medical students, allied health trainees and staff in geriatrics and gerontology.
The TN Valley GRECC was awarded in 2000 and is one of 21 national centers of excellence within the VA healthcare system. Through the integration of research, education, and clinical demonstration activities, the GRECC has developed an effective method for addressing the health concerns of the elderly, and has transmitted this knowledge to health professionals who provide care to aged veterans.
Working cooperatively with Vanderbilt School of Medicine and other regionally located entities, the defined areas of interest encompass 3 major foci:
- Drug Utilization (gero-pharmaco-genomics, gero-pharmaco-epidemiology,
and gero-pharmaco-economics)
- Prevention (Cardiovascular, Diabetes, and Cancer)
- Quality Improvement/ Patient Safety
Research efforts and clinical demonstration models developed by the TN Valley GRECC have translated into improved systems of care, yielding:
- Increases in diagnostic accuracy
- Lowered morbidity and mortality rates
- Improved targeting and dosing of medications for the elderly
- Improvements in patients’ physical, cognitive and emotional status
- Reductions in hospital LOS
- Improvements in safe, timely, effective, efficient, patient-centered care
A primary GRECC responsibility is to integrate new and existing geriatric knowledge and skills into clinical practice. This is accomplished through education and research training programs provided to students, residents and VA staff. The GRECC also serves as local, regional and national resource for geriatric education and training. Education and training programs include didactic and bedside clinical training, as well as staff development and continuing education programs. There are interdisciplinary symposia, invited professor lectureships, research seminars, data meetings for faculty and staff, staff development conferences, fellowship training, trainee support in Associated Health Professions, and interdisciplinary clinical and research experiences. The content of these programs focuses on the care of elderly veterans, and translates new knowledge from research and clinical demonstrations into educational experiences.Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Veterans Affairs TN Valley Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC)