SGH to Host Course Differentiating Delirium, Dementia, and Depression

Singapore General Hospital (SGH) will host a three-day e-learning course from March 25-27, 2026, aimed at healthcare professionals, allied health, and nursing staff. The course focuses on enhancing participants' ability to recognize, differentiate, and manage delirium, dementia, and depression – three common conditions affecting elderly patients.

The course addresses the significant presence of elderly patients in hospitals, noting that over half of hospital beds are occupied by individuals over 65. It highlights that delirium, dementia, and depression are prevalent, often co-occurring, and share similar symptoms. The hospital emphasizes that having one condition increases the risk of developing the others, making accurate diagnosis crucial to prevent complications like falls.

Participants will learn to identify features of the three conditions, understand potential misdiagnoses, and acquire management strategies for patients presenting with one or more of these disorders. The training will be conducted online via Zoom, with registration closing on March 6, 2026. Fees are S$850 for regular participants and S$770 for SingHealth staff.

As a leading healthcare institution in Singapore, SGH aims to equip professionals with the necessary skills to address the complex needs of an aging population and improve patient outcomes in geriatric care.