Alasdair MacLullich

Geriatrician delirium researcher writer

Alasdair MacLullich: Clinical work, research and public resources

I am Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and work in acute geriatric medicine and acute orthogeriatrics at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

My work aims to improve how delirium is recognised, assessed, explained and acted on, from clinical care and the 4AT to practical information for families. This site brings the work together and directs each reader to the right resource.

Start with delirium Explore resources University profile

Resources

Find the right delirium resource

Separate websites for patients, families, clinicians, researchers and the wider public.

Patients and families

01 Delirium Support For patients, families and carers Plain-English information about delirium for patients, families and carers. 02 Think Delirium For patients, families and carers Videos about delirium for healthcare professionals, patients and carers.

Clinical practice

03 The 4AT For clinical practice A brief assessment for possible delirium and cognitive impairment, with a user guide, evidence and translations. 04 Delirium Tools For clinical practice A referenced catalogue of delirium assessment tools, with profiles, evidence and source links. 05 Delirium Academy For healthcare professionals Practical online education about delirium for healthcare professionals.

Research and policy

06 Research For researchers and journalists Current programmes, selected publications and links to the full academic record. 07 Delirium journal For research and policy An open-access scientific journal published by the European Delirium Association.

Learning, writing and awareness

08 Delirium Words For learning and writing Articles and commentary about delirium. 09 World Delirium Awareness Day For awareness and advocacy The website for World Delirium Awareness Day, an iDelirium initiative.

Books

Longer-form guides

Writing for patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals.

Front cover of The 4AT Manual

Published 31 July 2026

The 4AT Manual: A Practical Guide to Delirium Assessment

The 102-page print edition explains how to administer, score and interpret the 4AT, with thirty worked clinical cases and guidance on implementation and audit. It is written for nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, students and educators. A free PDF and EPUB edition is also available, with no registration.

Available now from Amazon in Kindle, paperback and hardback editions.

Read and download the manual on the4AT.com All books
Front cover of Delirium (Acute Confusion): A Family Guide

Publication October 2026

Delirium (Acute Confusion): A Family Guide to Sudden Changes in Thinking and Memory

By Professor Alasdair MacLullich and Dr Sharmella Summan

Written for patients, families and carers, including advice for people living with dementia.

Read about the family guide

Writing & media

Articles, videos and research

Public-facing writing and teaching sit alongside my academic publications.

Media and speaking Biographies, expertise, sources and enquiries Delirium Words Articles and commentary Think Delirium Videos and teaching Research Explorer Publications and academic activity ORCID iD 0000-0003-3159-9370 Google Scholar Citations and research profile

Current roles

Clinical and academic work

University of Edinburgh
Professor of Geriatric Medicine
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Clinical work in acute geriatric medicine and acute orthogeriatrics
Delirium
Editor-in-Chief
Scottish Hip Fracture Audit
Chair

Contact

Professional enquiries

Please use the current contact details on my University of Edinburgh profile.

University profile

I cannot provide individual medical advice.