Mitchell T. Heflin, MD, MHS
Department / Division
Medicine /
Medicine - Geriatrics
Address
DUMC 3003
Durham, NC 27710
Appointment Telephone
919-620-4070
Fax Telephone
919-684-8569
- MD, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1994
- Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 1994-1997
- Ambulatory Care, Chief Resident, Duke University Medical Center, 1997-1998
- Geriatric Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 1998-2000
- MHS, Duke University, 2001
Clinical Interests
Comprehensive geriatric assessment in the elderly, depression, dementia/memory
loss, failure to thrive, fall assessment, clinical education, appropriate
prescribing
Research Interests
My research is focused on the issues surrounding decisions to perform cancer screening procedures in older adults. In recent work, we have investigated the impact of comorbid illness on receipt of mammography, clinical breast examination, Pap smear, and fecal occult blood testing. We are also completing work on a nationwide survey of primary care physicians inquiring about their intentions to offer cancer screening tests to older adults, specifically examining the role of health status on this decsion. Future directions of this line of research include: 1) Clinical trials of cancer screening in older adults, 2) The impact of education of providers and patients on rates of receipt of screening, 3) defining patient preferences for screening.
I am also intersted in the development of novel educational curricula in geriatrics for all types and levels of providers. Specifically, through my Geriatrics academic Career Award from the Department of Health and Human Services, I hope to examine the efficacy of several new educational programs. At this time, we have developed a comprehensive curriculum in Geriatrics for the medical school, a course in EBM in Geriatrics for fellows and a fellowship rotation entitled "Academic Geriatrics."
This faculty member has no reported relationships with industry.
