Strategies to Ensure Continuity of Care Using Telemedicine with Older Adults during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study of Physicians in Primary Care and Geriatrics

Objectives: Our objective was to interview primary care physicians (PCPs) and geriatricians on their experiences using telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic to examine strategies used to maintain continuity of care with their patients, ages 65 and older. Methods: Using purposive sampling, we sel...

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Published inJournal of applied gerontology Vol. 41; no. 11; pp. 2282 - 2295
Main Authors Chen, Kevin, Davoodi, Natalie M., Strauss, Daniel H., Li, Melinda, Jiménez, Frances N., Guthrie, Kate M., Goldberg, Elizabeth M.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.11.2022
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Subjects
Aged
Caregivers
Community size
Continuity of care
Continuity of Patient Care
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Geriatrics
Humans
Internet access
Interviews
Medical technology
Older people
Pandemics
Patients
Physicians
Primary care
Primary Care Delivery during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Primary Health Care
Privacy
Qualitative research
Telecommunications
Telemedicine
COVID-19
telemedicine
geriatrics
primary care
telehealth
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Summary:Objectives: Our objective was to interview primary care physicians (PCPs) and geriatricians on their experiences using telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic to examine strategies used to maintain continuity of care with their patients, ages 65 and older. Methods: Using purposive sampling, we selected physicians based on community size (metro/suburban/rural) and practice setting (academic/community) and conducted semi-structured interviews via Zoom (mean: 30 minutes). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using framework analysis. Results: We enrolled 33 physicians (15 PCPs and 18 geriatricians) from July to November 2020. Findings indicate that many physicians successfully bridged the digital divide by: assessing patients’ technological readiness in advance, being flexible with telehealth modes, using available home or facility-based staff, educating patients on telehealth privacy and usefulness, making accommodations for disabilities, and involving caregivers. Discussion: These findings can inform future policy and practice and assist physicians in resolving addressable barriers to telehealth use among older patients.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
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ISSN:0733-4648
1552-4523
DOI:10.1177/07334648221109728