Virtual Care Goals: Pandemic Insights

Summary

This article explores the implementation of a virtual specialist consultation program for setting Goals of Care (GoC) in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program aimed to address challenges in establishing appropriate GoC for frail residents. This innovative approach offered valuable insights into improving care and reducing unnecessary hospital transfers during a health crisis.

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** Main Story**

Okay, so the COVID-19 pandemic really threw a wrench into healthcare systems globally, right? Long-term care (LTC) facilities, in particular, faced some seriously tough situations managing their residents’ care. I mean, establishing appropriate Goals of Care (GoC) became unbelievably complex. That’s where virtual specialist consultation programs stepped in. It was an attempt to better align care with residents’ actual frailty levels and what we could realistically expect as outcomes. And, get this, a recent study actually dug into one of these programs. It gave us a really good look at the good, the bad, and the learning opportunities from this kind of approach.

Improved Care and Fewer Transfers

The virtual consultation program? Basically, it connected LTC staff with specialist physicians via online platforms. Think real-time chats about residents’ health, what’s likely to happen, and all the treatment choices. What came out of the study was pretty positive: participants felt that it really improved the quality of care. Because, it allowed for more informed decisions about care plans, which were then better suited to the individual resident’s needs. On top of that, and this is a big one, there were significantly fewer unnecessary trips to the hospital. With expert advice on tap, the LTC staff could handle more crises right there, keeping things stable and minimizing the risk of infection from hospital visits. Less stress on the system, and better for the patients, win-win!

Implementation: The Good and The Not-So-Good

So, what made this program work? Well, a couple of things. First off, that sense of urgency during the pandemic. Everyone knew things needed to change, fast. The crisis created a strong ‘let’s do this’ attitude within the LTC facilities. The upside of virtual consultations – easier access to specialists, less travel – helped a lot too. Then there’s the frailty care approach, it also helped with team work.

That said, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. You see, approaches to GoC weren’t always consistent between LTC and the hospitals. That information sharing thing, yeah, not always great. There were information silos, for sure. So, bridging these gaps and making GoC planning a more joined-up effort? Definite room for improvement there. It’s just that information should’ve been accessible, and it wasn’t.

Sustainability: A Real Concern

Here’s the kicker, though. The program worked great during the pandemic, but keeping it going afterwards? That’s been a struggle. As soon as the immediate crisis was over, resources often shifted back to the old ways. People didn’t see the need for a special GoC service when we weren’t in a full-blown emergency anymore. And I think that’s where we need to do better: showing the long-term value of these programs, even when things are relatively calm. It’s about preventing future crises, not just reacting to them.

Pandemic Insights & Lessons Learned

This study really brings home how effective virtual platforms can be for communication, giving access to specialist expertise, and boosting care for those frail residents. Plus, it shows how crucial it is to set up clear communication lines and shared philosophies between LTC and hospitals. The takeaway? We need to keep pushing for, and educating people about, the benefits of virtual GoC consultation, even when there isn’t a fire to put out.

Looking Ahead

These insights are key to shaping future virtual care programs in geriatric care, wouldn’t you agree? I mean, with technology moving as fast as it is, virtual care models could completely change how we provide specialized care, coordinate services, and give patients and families more say in their treatment. The pandemic experience really gave us a solid base to build from. We’ve got the chance to make healthcare systems more resilient and responsive to the ever-changing needs of older adults.