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VIRTUAL Geriatrics (Veteran Interprofessional Rural Telehealth Linking Geriatrics Expertise for Education and Access) program, (formerly known as GRECC Connect) is a 15-site project that aims to improve access to geriatric care for Veterans in rural areas. Older Veterans living in rural areas often have limited access to geriatric care and rural providers and staff often lack opportunities to learn about best practices for management of Veterans with geriatrics syndromes. This project links geriatrics specialists from GRECCs (Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Centers), located in urban tertiary medical centers, with rural areas through clinical video telehealth, electronic consultation, and educational teleconferences to bridge this gap. Through this project, we aim to equip rural providers and staff with the knowledge and skills to care for older adults, and to support staff at rural clinics by providing geriatrics consultation. Click to read more about the VIRTUAL Geriatrics Program.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape for care of older adults, leading to increased use of telemedicine to deliver care to older adults at home.  VIRTUAL Geriatrics has been delivering care through telemedicine means in rural areas since 2013.  Based on its experience, the VIRTUAL Geriatrics team has assembled resources and materials to help clinicians, and educational programs that may provide training to interprofessional staff adjusting to changes in care delivery for older adults, especially those in rural areas.  For Telemedicine help in the age of COVID-19, click here.