[The use of telemedicine with frail elderly patients in the Netherlands - experience of caregivers in an outpatient setting].

Abstract

The use of telemedicine (telephone and video consultations) has increased over the past decades and has grown substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multimorbidity, visual - and hearing impairment, cognitive impairment and lack of technical skills might complicate the use of telemedicine in frail elderly patients. Limited research on this topic is has been performed. The aim of this article is to investigate which elements of care could be performed by telemedicine and what patient characteristics are useful in selecting patients for telemedicine. To get more information about the use of telemedicine in frail elderly patients, an online survey was conducted amongst caregivers working in geriatric outpatient care departments in the Netherlands. 67 caregivers completed the survey. The results indicate there is limited experience in video consultations in this population. The experience so far is mainly positive. Caregivers indicate the following elements of care could be performed by telemedicine: follow-up consultations, taking an (hetero)anamnesis, medication review, conversations with multiple contacts or caregivers and informing about test results. Our advice is to decide in dialogue with patient and caregiver, which form of consultation is feasible, desirable and appropriate for every individual process and consultation.