COVID-19 and geriatric medicine in Australia and New Zealand.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate geriatricians' views about issues facing geriatric medicine, and the preparedness of the health-care system during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: An online survey of heads of geriatric medicine departments in hospitals in Australia and New Zealand undertaken in May 2020. RESULTS: The majority of hospitals had admitted one or more patients with suspected COVID-19. Most geriatricians believed their hospital was 'adequately' or 'well prepared' for the pandemic. Inpatient capacity increased to manage acute, post-acute and rehabilitative care of older patients with COVID-19. Non-inpatient services for older people were reduced and telehealth-instituted widely. Increases in work hours, on-call and staffing levels were reported. Geriatricians voiced major concerns about the preparedness of residential aged care facilities to manage the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted on geriatricians and the provision of geriatric medicine services. Many issues that subsequently affected older people were predicted in advance.