Themes
The Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology at National Cheng Kung University Hospital conducts research across a broad spectrum of geriatric medicine and gerontology. Within this breadth, our work is organized around several flagship themes:
Geriatric Screening and Comprehensive Assessment
We develop, adapt, and evaluate practical approaches for early identification of geriatric conditions and unmet needs—linking screening to actionable clinical pathways. Current work includes the application and validation of geriatric screening tools (e.g., SIGHT; FIND-NEEDS) to strengthen risk stratification and decision-making.
We develop, adapt, and evaluate practical approaches for early identification of geriatric conditions and unmet needs—linking screening to actionable clinical pathways. Current work includes the application and validation of geriatric screening tools (e.g., SIGHT; FIND-NEEDS) to strengthen risk stratification and decision-making.
Geriatric Syndromes: Falls, Frailty, and Sarcopenia
A major research focus is the prevention, assessment, and management of geriatric syndromes, particularly falls, frailty, and sarcopenia. Our studies examine risk factors (including medication-related risks), epidemiology and trajectories of syndromes, and clinically meaningful outcomes, informing both individualized care and population-level strategies.
A major research focus is the prevention, assessment, and management of geriatric syndromes, particularly falls, frailty, and sarcopenia. Our studies examine risk factors (including medication-related risks), epidemiology and trajectories of syndromes, and clinically meaningful outcomes, informing both individualized care and population-level strategies.
Intrinsic Capacity and Functional Resilience
We actively advance intrinsic capacity–oriented research, aligning functional assessment with integrated care strategies that support healthy aging and resilience. This includes participation in large-scale initiatives developing and evaluating intrinsic-capacity-based, technology-facilitated models of care for older adults and caregivers, as well as synthesis work on interventions targeting intrinsic capacity.
We actively advance intrinsic capacity–oriented research, aligning functional assessment with integrated care strategies that support healthy aging and resilience. This includes participation in large-scale initiatives developing and evaluating intrinsic-capacity-based, technology-facilitated models of care for older adults and caregivers, as well as synthesis work on interventions targeting intrinsic capacity.
Development and Evaluation of Care Models
We design and evaluate geriatric care models that improve outcomes and care experience across settings. Key directions include case management approaches, integrated ambulatory care, and hospital-to-community transitional geriatrics—building continuity across acute care, outpatient follow-up, and community-based support.
Innovation and Evaluation in Geriatric Medical Education
Our department studies how best to teach geriatric competencies and team-based care, with innovations and evaluation across undergraduate and postgraduate training. Ongoing work includes analyses of learner outcomes and educational impact in medical student and postgraduate training contexts, contributing evidence to strengthen geriatric education at scale.
Digital Health and AI in Geriatrics
In recent years, we have expanded research on digital health, smart care, and AI-enabled geriatric services—ranging from remote/home-based and transitional care platforms to broader AI-driven ecosystems