Eric Widera, MD
@ewidera.bsky.social
Professor of #Medicine @UCSF focused on #Geriatrics, #Hospice, #Palliative care, and #meded. Co-creator of https://eprognosis.ucsf.edu. Podcasts at http://geripal.org 🇺🇦
Publications: https://profiles.ucsf.edu/eric.widera
Publications: https://profiles.ucsf.edu/eric.widera
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
We discuss how Embedding Care (PTs, pharmacists, & social services) directly in the ED can reduce repeat fall-related visits by 66% and connect vulnerable seniors with life-saving community resources. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp391
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp391
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 7:16 PM
We discuss how Embedding Care (PTs, pharmacists, & social services) directly in the ED can reduce repeat fall-related visits by 66% and connect vulnerable seniors with life-saving community resources. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp391
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp391
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
@ewidera.bsky.social, MD just published in JAMA Internal Medicine: "Importance of Function for Alzheimer Diagnosis and Management—More Than Memory". #geriatrics #HPM #palliativemedicine #ucsf
Read more here: tiny.ucsf.edu/B6anHu
Read more here: tiny.ucsf.edu/B6anHu
New JAMA Internal Medicine Editorial by Eric Widera, MD | Geriatrics
Eric Widera, MD published an editorial in JAMA Internal Medicine highlighting why the push to adopt blood biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease should not replace the essential role of primary care. He…
tiny.ucsf.edu
February 10, 2026 at 6:28 PM
@ewidera.bsky.social, MD just published in JAMA Internal Medicine: "Importance of Function for Alzheimer Diagnosis and Management—More Than Memory". #geriatrics #HPM #palliativemedicine #ucsf
Read more here: tiny.ucsf.edu/B6anHu
Read more here: tiny.ucsf.edu/B6anHu
I wish I could write as well as @jbriscoe.bsky.social. His take on AI and medicine was priceless. Just to quote from it:
"Are we prepared for this? I think we're prepared for it in the same way a turkey is prepared for Thanksgiving..."
familymeetingnotes.substack.com/p/notes-in-t...
"Are we prepared for this? I think we're prepared for it in the same way a turkey is prepared for Thanksgiving..."
familymeetingnotes.substack.com/p/notes-in-t...
Notes in the Margin - 9 February 2026
Notes from a Family Meeting is a newsletter where I hope to join the curious conversations that hang about the intersections of health and the human condition.
familymeetingnotes.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:08 AM
I wish I could write as well as @jbriscoe.bsky.social. His take on AI and medicine was priceless. Just to quote from it:
"Are we prepared for this? I think we're prepared for it in the same way a turkey is prepared for Thanksgiving..."
familymeetingnotes.substack.com/p/notes-in-t...
"Are we prepared for this? I think we're prepared for it in the same way a turkey is prepared for Thanksgiving..."
familymeetingnotes.substack.com/p/notes-in-t...
“…the growing enthusiasm for biomarkers risks obscuring a fundamental truth: biomarkers only reflect disease pathology. They cannot assess cognition or illuminate the functional changes that transform memory concerns into meaningful impairment.” #alz
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Importance of Function for Alzheimer Diagnosis and Management
This Viewpoint offers a reminder, amid new laboratory testing for Alzheimer disease, of the primary care practitioner’s important role in functional assessment of activities of daily living.
jamanetwork.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:59 PM
“…the growing enthusiasm for biomarkers risks obscuring a fundamental truth: biomarkers only reflect disease pathology. They cannot assess cognition or illuminate the functional changes that transform memory concerns into meaningful impairment.” #alz
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Great discussion with Dr. Bob Wachter about his new book on AI and Healthcare, "A Giant Leap."
We discuss using AI for diagnosis, job loss concerns, risks of direct-to-patient chatbots, ethics + more! #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp390
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
We discuss using AI for diagnosis, job loss concerns, risks of direct-to-patient chatbots, ethics + more! #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp390
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
February 5, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Great discussion with Dr. Bob Wachter about his new book on AI and Healthcare, "A Giant Leap."
We discuss using AI for diagnosis, job loss concerns, risks of direct-to-patient chatbots, ethics + more! #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp390
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
We discuss using AI for diagnosis, job loss concerns, risks of direct-to-patient chatbots, ethics + more! #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp390
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Surprise: Routine perioperative #PalliativeCare may NOT improve outcomes for curative-intent cancer surgery. Lead authors of the SCOPE & PERIOP-PC trials join us to discuss these null results. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp389
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp389
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Surprise: Routine perioperative #PalliativeCare may NOT improve outcomes for curative-intent cancer surgery. Lead authors of the SCOPE & PERIOP-PC trials join us to discuss these null results. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp389
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp389
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Is the future of #PalliativeCare moving into the community? 🏡 We dive into #ValueBasedCare, the risks of "Palliative Lite," and how innovation is expanding access for patients with #SeriousIllness. 🩺 #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp388
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social l
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp388
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social l
January 22, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Is the future of #PalliativeCare moving into the community? 🏡 We dive into #ValueBasedCare, the risks of "Palliative Lite," and how innovation is expanding access for patients with #SeriousIllness. 🩺 #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp388
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social l
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp388
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social l
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.
January 25, 2026 at 5:39 PM
The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.
January 24, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Prolonged hallway care was found to be associated with an increased risk of delirium and severe agitation in patients living with dementia, but not in our entire cohort of older adults. #geriatrics agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Emergency Department Hallways Are Associated With Incident Delirium and Severe Agitation in Older Adults Living With Dementia
Prolonged hallway care was found to be associated with an increased risk of delirium and severe agitation in patients living with dementia, but not in our entire cohort of older adults in our multiva...
agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 17, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Prolonged hallway care was found to be associated with an increased risk of delirium and severe agitation in patients living with dementia, but not in our entire cohort of older adults. #geriatrics agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Today we explore Uncertainty in Medicine, and the need to rethink & embrace uncertainty to better manage complexities of medicine & build confidence in the face of the unknown. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp387
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp387
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
January 15, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Today we explore Uncertainty in Medicine, and the need to rethink & embrace uncertainty to better manage complexities of medicine & build confidence in the face of the unknown. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp387
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp387
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Why we need quality improvement (QI) collaboratives, registries, and benchmarking, and the immense potential this has to enhance #PalliativeCare. Guests Steve Pantilat, David Currow, and Arif Kamal. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp386
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp386
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
January 8, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Why we need quality improvement (QI) collaboratives, registries, and benchmarking, and the immense potential this has to enhance #PalliativeCare. Guests Steve Pantilat, David Currow, and Arif Kamal. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp386
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp386
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
I took up this question in the latest issue of Notes: open.substack.com/pub/familyme...
December 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I took up this question in the latest issue of Notes: open.substack.com/pub/familyme...
Improve your patient care in older adults by learning with @acpimphysicians.bsky.social full-day #Geriatrics and #Palliative Medicine course intensive on Wednesday, April 15 in San Francisco! Learn more here - annualmeeting.acponline.org/educational-...
December 18, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Improve your patient care in older adults by learning with @acpimphysicians.bsky.social full-day #Geriatrics and #Palliative Medicine course intensive on Wednesday, April 15 in San Francisco! Learn more here - annualmeeting.acponline.org/educational-...
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Link to the JAGS article “Rehab and Death: Improving End-of-Life Care for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Beneficiaries.” #medsky agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
December 13, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Link to the JAGS article “Rehab and Death: Improving End-of-Life Care for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Beneficiaries.” #medsky agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Rehab & Death in Skilled Nursing Facilities is a vicious cycle: Sarguni Singh, Christian Furman, & Lynn Flint explain how hope, policy gaps, & payment rules shape these transitions—and why change is needed. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp384
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp384
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Rehab & Death in Skilled Nursing Facilities is a vicious cycle: Sarguni Singh, Christian Furman, & Lynn Flint explain how hope, policy gaps, & payment rules shape these transitions—and why change is needed. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp384
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp384
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Inflammaging—chronic, low-grade inflammation that rises with age—may be a key driver behind many chronic and acute diseases. We talk with 3 experts: Brian Andonian, Sara LaHue, & Joe Hippensteel. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp383
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp383
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Inflammaging—chronic, low-grade inflammation that rises with age—may be a key driver behind many chronic and acute diseases. We talk with 3 experts: Brian Andonian, Sara LaHue, & Joe Hippensteel. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp383
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp383
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Drs. @ewidera.bsky.social, and Kaitlin Willham co-authored a module in the new @amergeriatrics.bsky.social Alzheimer’s curriculum, edited by Dr. Michael Harper. The curriculum covers new diagnostic tools and treatments for Alzheimer’s. geriatrics.ucsf.edu/news/widera-...
Widera, Willham, and Harper Help Launch New AGS Curriculum on Alzheimer’s Diagnostics and Treatments | Geriatrics
Eric Widera, MD, and Kaitlin Willham, MD, co-authored the module "Evidence Review of FDA-Approved Monoclonal Antibody Treatments," as part of the newly published AGS online curriculum, "Alzheimer's…
geriatrics.ucsf.edu
November 21, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Drs. @ewidera.bsky.social, and Kaitlin Willham co-authored a module in the new @amergeriatrics.bsky.social Alzheimer’s curriculum, edited by Dr. Michael Harper. The curriculum covers new diagnostic tools and treatments for Alzheimer’s. geriatrics.ucsf.edu/news/widera-...
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
A chaplain (Betty Clark) and a doctor (Jessica Zitter) reflect on their new documentary, The Chaplain and the Doctor, and the ways personal stories and biases shape our interactions in healthcare. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp382
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp382
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 7:35 PM
A chaplain (Betty Clark) and a doctor (Jessica Zitter) reflect on their new documentary, The Chaplain and the Doctor, and the ways personal stories and biases shape our interactions in healthcare. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp382
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp382
😀 Hosts: @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Hospice & Palliative Care leaders reflect on the past 50 years—and the urgent need to raise standards, ensure access, & lead with love in a profit-driven system. Ira Byock, Kristi Newport, Brynn Bowman. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp381
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp381
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Hospice & Palliative Care leaders reflect on the past 50 years—and the urgent need to raise standards, ensure access, & lead with love in a profit-driven system. Ira Byock, Kristi Newport, Brynn Bowman. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp381
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp381
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Sickle cell disease brings lifelong challenges—from severe pain to systemic inequities. Today our guests share how palliative care supports patients through compassion, trust, and whole-person care. 💜 #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp380
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp380
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Sickle cell disease brings lifelong challenges—from severe pain to systemic inequities. Today our guests share how palliative care supports patients through compassion, trust, and whole-person care. 💜 #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp380
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp380
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Join us! @ewidera.bsky.social & @alexsmithmd.bsky.social are giving UCSF Geriatrics Grand Rounds on Wed., Nov 5, 4-5pm PT.
The topic is "What we've learned from nearly 400 GeriPal podcasts."
Join via zoom or in person.
Via zoom: ucsf.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
See graphic for more info. #medsky
The topic is "What we've learned from nearly 400 GeriPal podcasts."
Join via zoom or in person.
Via zoom: ucsf.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
See graphic for more info. #medsky
November 1, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Join us! @ewidera.bsky.social & @alexsmithmd.bsky.social are giving UCSF Geriatrics Grand Rounds on Wed., Nov 5, 4-5pm PT.
The topic is "What we've learned from nearly 400 GeriPal podcasts."
Join via zoom or in person.
Via zoom: ucsf.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
See graphic for more info. #medsky
The topic is "What we've learned from nearly 400 GeriPal podcasts."
Join via zoom or in person.
Via zoom: ucsf.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
See graphic for more info. #medsky
Reposted by Eric Widera, MD
Are Slow Codes ever ethical? We dive into the gray area of CPR, shallow compressions, walk don't run, compassion with deceit, outcomes vs values, bioethics vs real world, trust, + more. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp378
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp378
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Are Slow Codes ever ethical? We dive into the gray area of CPR, shallow compressions, walk don't run, compassion with deceit, outcomes vs values, bioethics vs real world, trust, + more. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp378
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp378
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
Is faking CPR always wrong? We discuss the defense of the slow code in this weeks podcast. #medsky #bioethics
Are Slow Codes ever ethical? We dive into the gray area of CPR, shallow compressions, walk don't run, compassion with deceit, outcomes vs values, bioethics vs real world, trust, + more. #medsky
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp378
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
👉 Post: bit.ly/GeriPalEp378
😀 hosts @alexsmithmd.bsky.social | @ewidera.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Is faking CPR always wrong? We discuss the defense of the slow code in this weeks podcast. #medsky #bioethics