COVID-19 Virtual Care for the Geriatric Population: Exploring Two Sides of the Coin

There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

Abstract

Virtual care (VC) continues to gain attention as we make changes to the way we deliver care amidst our current COVID-19 pandemic. Exploring various ways of delivering care is of importance as we try our best to ensure we prioritize the health and safety of every one of our patients. One mode of care that is continuing to garner attention is telemedicine − the use of virtual technology to deliver care to our patients. The geriatric population has been of particular focus during this time. As with any new intervention, it is important that both the benefits and challenges are explored to ensure that we are finding ways to accommodate the patients we serve while ensuring that they receive the care that they require. This study aims to explore the various benefits and challenges to implementing VC in our day-to-day care for the geriatric population.

Related collections

Most cited references 16

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: found

Is Open Access

Comparing the content and quality of video, telephone, and face-to-face consultations: a non-randomised, quasi-experimental, exploratory study in UK primary care

Victoria Hammersley, Eddie Donaghy, Richard Parker … (2019)

Background Growing demands on primary care services have led to policymakers promoting video consultations (VCs) to replace routine face-to-face consultations (FTFCs) in general practice. Aim To explore the content, quality, and patient experience of VC, telephone (TC), and FTFCs in general practice. Design and setting Comparison of audio-recordings of follow-up consultations in UK primary care. Method Primary care clinicians were provided with video-consulting equipment. Participating patients required a smartphone, tablet, or computer with camera. Clinicians invited patients requiring a follow-up consultation to choose a VC, TC, or FTFC. Consultations were audio-recorded and analysed for content and quality. Participant experience was explored in post-consultation questionnaires. Case notes were reviewed for NHS resource use. Results Of the recordings, 149/163 were suitable for analysis. VC recruits were younger, and more experienced in communicating online. FTFCs were longer than VCs (mean difference +3.7 minutes, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1 to 5.2) or TCs (+4.1 minutes, 95% CI = 2.6 to 5.5). On average, patients raised fewer problems in VCs (mean 1.5, standard deviation [SD] 0.8) compared with FTFCs (mean 2.1, SD 1.1) and demonstrated fewer instances of information giving by clinicians and patients. FTFCs scored higher than VCs and TCs on consultation-quality items. Conclusion VC may be suitable for simple problems not requiring physical examination. VC, in terms of consultation length, content, and quality, appeared similar to TC. Both approaches appeared less ‘information rich’ than FTFC. Technical problems were common and, though patients really liked VC, infrastructure issues would need to be addressed before the technology and approach can be mainstreamed in primary care.

0 comments Cited 159 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

Virtual care policy recommendations for patient-centred primary care: findings of a consensus policy dialogue using a nominal group technique

Trevor Jamieson, Ivy H N Wong, R Sacha Bhatia … (2017)

Background The development of new virtual care technologies (including telehealth and telemedicine) is growing rapidly, leading to a number of challenges related to health policy and planning for health systems around the world. Methods We brought together a diverse group of health system stakeholders, including patient representatives, to engage in policy dialogue to set health system priorities for the application of virtual care in the primary care sector in the Province of Ontario, Canada. We applied a nominal group technique (NGT) process to determine key priorities, and synthesized these priorities with group discussion to develop recommendations for virtual care policy. Methods included a structured priority ranking process, open-ended note-taking, and thematic analysis to identify priorities. Results Recommendations were summarized under the following themes: (a) identify clear health system leadership to embed virtual care strategies into all aspects of primary and community care; (b) make patients the focal point of health system decision-making; (c) leverage incentives to achieve meaningful health system improvements; and (d) building virtual care into streamlined workflows. Two key implications of our policy dialogue are especially relevant for an international audience. First, shifting the dialogue away from technology toward more meaningful patient engagement will enable policy planning for applications of technology that better meet patients' needs. Second, a strong conceptual framework on guiding the meaningful use of technology in health care settings is essential for intelligent planning of virtual care policy. Conclusions Policy planning for virtual care needs to shift toward a stronger focus on patient engagement to understand patients' needs.

0 comments Cited 85 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: found

Is Open Access

Interpreting COVID-19 and Virtual Care Trends: Cohort Study

Saif Khairat, Chenlu Meng, Yuxuan Xu … (2020)

Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly spreading across the world. As of March 26, 2020, there are more than 500,000 cases and more than 25,000 deaths related to COVID-19, and the numbers are increasing by the hour. Objective The aim of this study was to explore the trends in confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Carolina, and to understand patterns in virtual visits related to symptoms of COVID-19. Methods We conducted a cohort study of confirmed COVID-19 cases and patients using an on-demand, statewide virtual urgent care center. We collected data from February 1, 2020, to March 15, 2020. Institutional Review Board exemption was obtained prior to the study. Results As of March, 18 2020, there were 92 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 733 total virtual visits. Of the total visits, 257 (35.1%) were related to COVID-19-like symptoms. Of the COVID-19-like visits, the number of females was 178 (69.2%). People in the age groups of 30-39 years (n=67, 26.1%) and 40-49 years (n=64, 24.9%) were half of the total patients. Additionally, approximately 96.9% (n=249) of the COVID-like encounters came from within the state of North Carolina. Our study shows that virtual care can provide efficient triaging in the counties with the highest number of COVID-19 cases. We also confirmed that the largest spread of the disease occurs in areas with a high population density as well as in areas with major airports. Conclusions The use of virtual care presents promising potential in the fight against COVID-19. Virtual care is capable of reducing emergency room visits, conserving health care resources, and avoiding the spread of COVID-19 by treating patients remotely. We call for further adoption of virtual care by health systems across the United States and the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.

0 comments Cited 58 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

All references

Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Gerontology

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Gerontology

Journal ID (publisher-id): GER

Title: Gerontology

Publisher: S. Karger AG (Allschwilerstrasse 10, P.O. Box · Postfach · Case postale, CH–4009, Basel, Switzerland · Schweiz · Suisse, Phone: +41 61 306 11 11, Fax: +41 61 306 12 34, karger@karger.com )

ISSN (Print): 0304-324X

ISSN (Electronic): 1423-0003

Publication date (Electronic): 30 June 2021

Pages: 1-6

Affiliations

[1] ^aDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

[2] ^bDepartment of Medicine, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

Author notes

*Helen Senderovich, hsenderovich@ 123456baycrest.org

Article

Publisher ID: ger-0001

DOI: 10.1159/000516298

PMC ID: 8339015

PubMed ID: 34192703

SO-VID: d7b4985b-7d5f-40d5-8023-9b8de597afbd

License:

This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC). Usage and distribution for commercial purposes requires written permission. Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.

History

Date received : 22 February 2021

Date accepted : 31 March 2021

Page count

Figures: 3, References: 29, Pages: 6

Comments

Comment on this article

Cited by 4

See all cited by

Most referenced authors 121

See all reference authors

- Version 1

Call for Papers: Epidemiology of CKD and its Complications

Submit here by August 31, 2024