Background The presence of frailty or prefrailty in older adults is a risk factor for postsurgical complications. The frailty phenotype can be improved through long-term resistance and aerobic training. It is unknown whether short-term preoperative interventions targeting frailty will help to mitigate surgical risk. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of frail and prefrail patients presenting to a thoracic surgical clinic who could benefit from a frailty reduction intervention. Methods A prospective cohort study was performed at a single-site thoracic surgical clinic. Starting October 1, 2014, surgical candidates 60 years of age or older who consented to be screened were included. Patients were screened using an adapted version of Fried’s phenotypic frailty criteria: weakness (grip strength), slow gait (15-foot walk), unintentional weight loss, self-reported exhaustion, and low self-reported physical activity (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly). Prefrailty was identified when participants demonstrated one to two frailty characteristics; frailty was identified when participants demonstrated three to five frailty characteristics. Results Of 180 eligible patients, 126 consented, and 125 completed screening. Thirty-nine participants (31%) were not frail, 71 (57%) were prefrail, and 15 (12%) were frail. Exhaustion was the most common frailty symptom (34%). Frailty prevalence did not significantly differ among men and women (men: 10%, women: 14%; p = 0.75). Conclusions We found a high proportion of prefrail and frail patients among patients deemed candidates for thoracic surgical procedures. This finding indicates that frailty may be underrecognized. Substantial numbers of patients may be considered for a presurgical frailty reduction intervention.

Purpose of Review To discuss the concept of prehabilitation for the elderly frail surgical patient as well as strategies to improve preoperative functional capacity and vascular function to decrease postoperative complications. Recent Findings Frailty is associated with poor surgical outcomes yet there is no consensus on how frailty should be measured or mitigated in the preoperative period. Prehabilitation, or improving functional capacity prior to surgery typically through exercise, has been shown to be an effective strategy to decrease preoperative frailty and improves surgical outcomes. Use of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) may serve as an alternative to exercise in this fragile patient population. Summary Prehabilitation programs using strategies targeted at improving vascular function may decrease frailty in the preoperative period and improve surgical outcomes in the elderly population.

Pulmonary diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma are common in the elderly population. Corticosteroids, systemic and inhaled, are commonly used in their treatment. There are many adverse effects associated with corticosteroid treatment. These include cataracts, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, and delirium, which are more common and more dangerous in the elderly population.

Despite the growing population of older adults, the geriatrics workforce has not similarly expanded. The number of geriatrics fellows has declined by 14.3% from 2012-2017. Implementation of innovative training programs may improve this reality. In 2002, the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) created the first four-year combined medicine residency and geriatrics fellowship (Med-Ger). Similar programs are currently being developed. The aim of this study is to describe the outcomes of the MCW Med-Ger program. Primary endpoints: American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) pass rates, ABIM Geriatric Medicine Certification pass rates, fellowship completion rates, and geriatric-focused practice. Results: There was a Med-Ger program fill rate of 73.7% (n=38). There was equivalent ABIM pass rate of 100% between Med-Ger graduates (n=18) and traditional graduates (n=25). Med-Ger trainees were more likely to complete their geriatrics fellowship (94.4% vs. 88%) and practice in geriatric-focused careers (82.4% vs. 68.2%). These outcomes suggest the benefit of a combined program for training future geriatricians. The MCW Med-Ger fill rate exceeds the national geriatrics fellowship fill rate of under 50%. Additionally, graduates may be more likely to practice geriatric medicine. This may help address population needs for an increased geriatrics workforce. In 2020, the ACGME approved an Advancing Innovation in Residency Education (AIRE) Medicine-Geriatrics Integrated Residency and Fellowship national pilot program. Further investigation of why trainees choose Med-Ger training and are more likely to continue with careers in geriatrics is needed in order to replicate the success of the MCW Med-Ger program.