September 17, 2020
Article
NEJM Catalyst

Protecting Vulnerable Older Patients during the Pandemic

By: Umar Ikram, Susanna Gallani, Jose F. Figueroa and Thomas W. Feeley

Format:Electronic

Abstract

Older people (70 years and older) with multiple chronic conditions have the highest risk of being hospitalized and dying from COVID-19. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how a strong primary care system can play an important role in protecting this group of people. How innovative primary care organizations adapted their approach to the pandemic may offer important lessons not only for future health crises, but also for redesigning post-pandemic healthcare delivery. We studied Iora Health, Oak Street Health, ChenMed and Landmark Health, which specialize in vulnerable older patients. From analysing their responses to the COVID- 19 crisis, we identify three key lessons for healthcare systems: 1) The importance of fostering trusted relationships with vulnerable older patients to timely identify and address their clinical and non-clinical needs; 2) a rapid implementation of a comprehensive virtual care approach to facilitate frequent touchpoints between the patient and care team; and 3) delivery of home-based healthcare services to ensure access during the pandemic.

Keywords

COVID-19; High-risk Patients; Primary Care; Health Pandemics; Health Care and Treatment; Innovation and Invention; Demographics; Age

Citation

Ikram, Umar, Susanna Gallani, Jose F. Figueroa, and Thomas W. Feeley. "Protecting Vulnerable Older Patients during the Pandemic." NEJM Catalyst (September 17, 2020).