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Updated: Oct 10, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
Published on: November 10, 2023
COVID-19 and geriatric medicine in Australia and New Zealand
Liesl Ischia1, Vasi Naganathan1,2,3, Louise M Waite1,2,3
1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Concord Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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.
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