Dan Matlock, MD

Professor, Medicine-Geriatrics

Faculty Photo
Medical School
  • MD, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine (2003)
Undergraduate School
  • BS, Colorado School of Mines (CO) (1999)
Internship
  • University of Colorado (2004)
Residency
  • University of Colorado, Internal Medicine (2006)
Fellowships
  • University of Colorado, Geriatric Medicine (2007)
Languages
English
Department
Medicine-Geriatrics

Professional Titles

  • Professor of Medicine
  • Director of the Colorado Program for Patient Centered Decisions
  • Associate Vice Chair of Health Services Research – Department of Medicine

Research Interests

My research is aimed at fundamentally changing and improving how patients make decisions around invasive cardiovascular technologies. I have been funded under an NIH career development award, three NHLBI RO1s (two Co-I, one PI), and three PCORI projects studying shared decision making among older adults making decisions around invasive technologies. I have participated in the American College of Cardiology’s shared decision making task force and I am an active participant of the International Patient Decision Aid Standards writing committee. Recently, I have been named Director of Implementation Research for the Denver Veterans Affairs Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center.

Publications

  • Baik D, Allen LA, Coats H, Matlock DD, Jankowski C. "We Don't Take Care of Ourselves": A Qualitative Study on Self-Management Challenges and Health Needs Among Older Family Care Partners of Persons With Heart Failure. Res Gerontol Nurs. 2026 Jan-Feb;19(1):25-34. PubMed PMID: 41342486
  • Naik AD, Schwarze ML, Banks J, Soni S, Arain SA, Goyal P, Matlock DD, Lampert R, Tinetti ME. Aligning Surgical Decisions With Older Adults' Outcome Goals. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2025 Nov;73(11):3588-3592. PubMed PMID: 41288195
  • Fuchita M, Huber L, Costa D, Mehta AB, Matlock D, Good R. Interprofessional Simulation-Based Training to Facilitate ABCDEF Bundle Implementation. Am J Crit Care. 2025 Nov 1;34(6):463-468. PubMed PMID: 41173645
  • Baik D, Allen LA, Coats H, Matlock DD, Jankowski C. Engagement in a digital health physical activity program, TPA4You, among older family care partners of persons with heart failure: A Scenario-based design. Geriatr Nurs. 2025 Nov-Dec;66(Pt C):103677. PubMed PMID: 41129906
  • Pytell JD, Pales D, Simon C, Beaudoin J, Osman AMY, Svoboda E, Christine PJ, Matlock D, Schwartz R, Binswanger IA. Systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures for opioid use disorder recovery. Addiction. 2025 Oct 21. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 41117669

Practice Locations

Hospital Affiliation
  • University of Colorado Hospital

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Geriatric Medicine, Board Certification (2007)
  • Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Board Certification (2012, 2012)
Conditions & Treatments

Clinical Interests
Geriatrics, Cardiac disease, Shared decision making, Palliative Care, Hospice

Care Philosophy
I believe that my patients are experts in what is important to them and their lives. I believe that my it is your body and your life and I am a consultant there to help you live the best life you want to live. I reject paternalistic styles of medicine and try to work with and partner with my patients. I enjoy my job the most when I get to know patients on a personal level - I also think the more I understand their lives, the better I can help them.

Personal Interests
I love spending time with my wife, three daughters, two dogs, and our parrot. I love

Public Speaking
Yes
I enjoy speaking to groups about shared decision making and patient-centered care.