Geriatrics fellowship during COVID-19: expanding impact, using innovation and maintaining balance

The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity for geriatricians, especially geriatrics fellows, to demonstrate leadership in a crisis that has significantly affected the 65 and older demographic. Given their expertise in care delivery to complex, multimorbid patients, as well as their ability to navigate different healthcare settings, geriatrics fellows became a valuable resource during the pandemic, particularly at one large, urban academic health system. Their training in patient-centered, value-based care helped determine the best course of action for patients not only in the hospital, but also in the community. Utilizing innovative strategies such as a newly developed Palliative Care Hotline (PATCH-24 line), telehealth, and community paramedicine, fellows delivered services to complex patients in community settings. In addition to providing direct patient care, geriatrics fellows also taught their skills to frontline physicians of other specialties. Strong support from the fellowship program’s leadership, as well as an ongoing focus on clinician wellbeing and resilience, have been central factors in the success of geriatrics fellows during the COVID-19 crisis.