Teaching Geriatrics in Video Telemedicine

Telemedicine is an exciting new patient care model that will be an essential part of learners’ future careers. Many medical educators have not received training in this care modality, especially as it pertains geriatrics, and they find themselves needing to learn and teach best practices simultaneously. Special considerations for video visits with older adults include structuring workflow and precepting, appreciating the impact of common geriatric syndromes on communication, and ensuring clinical encounters are age friendly. Emphasizing the benefits and opportunities of these “virtual home visits” allows educators to prepare learners to become more astute and flexible clinicians. It also opens the door to educational innovation without restriction to brick-and-mortar clinical sites.