Telemedicine in elderly care during the Covid-19 Pandemic: experience report

Abstract

Introduction: Telemedicine has been progressively applied and accepted, especially in the current context, the new Coronavirus pandemic, with an overload on the health system and the need for social isolation. Objective: To report the experience of global geriatric assessment practice by medical students through teleconsultations. Experience report: Teleconsultations were carried out by medical students in which instruments were applied for the global geriatric assessment of a 72-year-old woman from a short-term institution. Results: It was identified that the patient was independent to perform activities of daily living, however, she had uncontrolled blood pressure, depressed mood and demonstrated incredibility to the vaccination. The experience proved to be beneficial for students, due to the geriatric practice, and for the elderly woman, who received guidance to meet health demands and ensure her overall well-being. Conclusion: Telemedicine is a promising tool to ensure comprehensive care for elderly patients in a context of social isolation. Teleconsultations were important to highlight the advantages and obstacles of this type of care, which still requires overcoming complex structural problems for its effective application, such as the need for investment in equal access to quality internet and training of health professionals and the elderly in management of digital media.