Uploaded September 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The U.S. Surgeon General has called attention to a new epidemic: loneliness and social isolation. As the baby boomers continue to age, understanding the dynamics of loneliness and social isolation and their potential health implications is essential for clinicians. In this Grand Rounds, Ashwin Kotwal, who has published extensively on the topic of loneliness in the elderly, will explore the unique challenges faced by older individuals and offer practical steps that clinicians can take to address the challenges of loneliness in older adults.
Speaker
Ashwin Kotwal, MD, is assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics. His clinical work focuses on advancing telehealth palliative care at the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC), where he has been director of the Outpatient Palliative Care Telehealth Program since 2019.
Ashwin’s research is focused on understanding and enhancing social connections of older adults to improve their quality of life and healthcare access. In recent work, he investigated experiences of loneliness and social isolation among older adults with cognitive impairment and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on social well-being. He is currently evaluating community-based interventions to address loneliness and isolation.
Note: Closed captions will be available within 48-72 hours after posting.
Program
Lekshmi Santhosh: Introduction
00:01:46-00:53:08 – Ashwin Kotwal, MD, is assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics
00:53:20-00:58:31 – Q&A
See previous Medical Grand Rounds:
• September 7: Summer Covid-19 Update
youtu.be/2C5JnYsYKuY
• June 29: The Final Covid-19 Grand Rounds: What Have We Learned? youtu.be/e3pjp4jf208?si=KZ3lLIwLrT7iYX2s
• June 22: A Fireside Chat with Lindsey Criswell, Director of NIAMS youtu.be/yxsNoQ-hd-c
• June 15: Climbing to New Heights in Lung Transplantation: Surgical & Medical Innovations to Improve Outcomes
youtu.be/ZUzwaHFJnJU
See all UCSF Covid-19 grand rounds, which have been viewed over 3M times, at youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp2l8GCZXFqSgUfwaResQ7rGwKbGIUi_m.
The U.S. Surgeon General has called attention to a new epidemic: loneliness and social isolation. As the baby boomers continue to age, understanding the dynamics of loneliness and social isolation and their potential health implications is essential for clinicians. In this Grand Rounds, Ashwin Kotwal, who has published extensively on the topic of loneliness in the elderly, will explore the unique challenges faced by older individuals and offer practical steps that clinicians can take to address the challenges of loneliness in older adults.
Speaker
Ashwin Kotwal, MD, is assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics. His clinical work focuses on advancing telehealth palliative care at the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC), where he has been director of the Outpatient Palliative Care Telehealth Program since 2019.
Ashwin’s research is focused on understanding and enhancing social connections of older adults to improve their quality of life and healthcare access. In recent work, he investigated experiences of loneliness and social isolation among older adults with cognitive impairment and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on social well-being. He is currently evaluating community-based interventions to address loneliness and isolation.
Note: Closed captions will be available within 48-72 hours after posting.
Program
Lekshmi Santhosh: Introduction
00:01:46-00:53:08 – Ashwin Kotwal, MD, is assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics
00:53:20-00:58:31 – Q&A
See previous Medical Grand Rounds:
• September 7: Summer Covid-19 Update
youtu.be/2C5JnYsYKuY
• June 29: The Final Covid-19 Grand Rounds: What Have We Learned? youtu.be/e3pjp4jf208?si=KZ3lLIwLrT7iYX2s
• June 22: A Fireside Chat with Lindsey Criswell, Director of NIAMS youtu.be/yxsNoQ-hd-c
• June 15: Climbing to New Heights in Lung Transplantation: Surgical & Medical Innovations to Improve Outcomes
youtu.be/ZUzwaHFJnJU
See all UCSF Covid-19 grand rounds, which have been viewed over 3M times, at youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp2l8GCZXFqSgUfwaResQ7rGwKbGIUi_m.
