scholarly journals Geriatric Resource Teams: Equipping Primary Care Practices to Meet the Complex Care Needs of Older Adults

Geriatrics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwendolen Buhr ◽  
Carrissa Dixon ◽  
Jan Dillard ◽  
Elissa Nickolopoulos ◽  
Lynn Bowlby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Complex Care ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Primary Care Practices ◽  
Complex Care Needs ◽  
The Impact

Primary care practices lack the time, expertise, and resources to perform traditional comprehensive geriatric assessment. In particular, they need methods to improve their capacity to identify and care for older adults with complex care needs, such as cognitive impairment. As the US population ages, discovering strategies to address these complex care needs within primary care are urgently needed. This article describes the development of an innovative, team-based model to improve the diagnosis and care of older adults with cognitive impairment in primary care practices. This model was developed through a mentoring process from a team with expertise in geriatrics and quality improvement. Refinement of the existing assessment process performed during routine care allowed patients with cognitive impairment to be identified. The practice team then used a collaborative workflow to connect patients with appropriate community resources. Utilization of these processes led to reduced referrals to the geriatrics specialty clinic, fewer patients presenting in a crisis to the social worker, and greater collaboration and self-efficacy for care of those with cognitive impairment within the practice. Although the model was initially developed to address cognitive impairment, the impact has been applied more broadly to improve the care of older adults with multimorbidity.

Supporting Goal-Oriented Primary Health Care for Seniors’ with Multimorbidity and Complex Care Needs using Mobile Technology: Mixed-Methods, Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial of the ePRO Tool. (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Steele Gray ◽  
Phat (Eduard) Chau ◽  
Farah Tahsin ◽  
Sarah Harvey ◽  
Mayura Loganathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Ethnographic Data ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Primary Care Practices ◽  
Complex Care Needs

BACKGROUND Goal-oriented care is being adopted to deliver person-centred primary care to older adults with multimorbidity and complex care needs. While this model holds promise, implementation remains a challenge. Digital health solutions may enable processes to improve adoption, however, they require evaluation to determine feasibility and impact. OBJECTIVE This study evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of the electronic Patient Reported Outcome (ePRO) mobile application and portal system, designed to enable goal-oriented care delivery in inter-professional primary care practices. The research questions driving this study are: 1) Does ePRO improve quality of life and self-management in older adults with complex needs, and 2) what mechanisms are likely driving observed outcomes? METHODS A multi-method pragmatic randomized control trial using a stepped-wedge design and ethnographic case studies was conducted over a 15-month period in 6 comprehensive primary care practices across Ontario with a target enrolment of 176 patients. The 6 practices were randomized into either early (3-month control period; 12-month intervention) or late (6-month control period; 9-month intervention) groups. The primary outcome measure of interest was the Assessment of Quality of Life-4D (AQoL-4D). Data were collected at baseline and at 3 monthly intervals for the duration of the trial. Ethnographic data included observations and interviews with patients and providers at the mid-point and end of the intervention. Outcome data were analyzed using linear models conducted at the individual level, accounting for cluster effects at the practice level, and ethnographic data was analyzed using qualitative description and framework analysis methods. RESULTS Recruitment challenges resulted in fewer sites and participants than expected; only 142 of the 176 eligible patients were identified due to lower than expected provider participation and fewer than expected patients willing to participate or perceived as ready to engage in goal setting. Of 142 patients approached, 45 patients participated (32%). Patients set a variety of goals related to self-management, mental health, social health and overall well-being. Due to underpowering, the impact of ePRO on quality of life could not be definitively assessed; however the intervention group, ePRO plus usual care (M = 15.28, SD = 18.60), demonstrated non-significant slight decrease in quality of life, t(24)= -1.20, P = 0.24, when compared to usual care only (M = 21.76, SD = 2.17). The ethnographic data reveals a complex implementation process, in which the meaningfulness (or coherence) of the technology to individuals lives and work acted as a key driver to adoption and tool appraisal. CONCLUSIONS This trial experienced many unexpected and significant implementation challenges related to recruitment and engagement. Future studies could be improved through better alignment of the research methods and intervention to the complex and diverse clinic settings, dynamic goal-oriented care process, and readiness of provider and patient participants. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02917954; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02917954?intr=epro&cntry=CA&rank=1

scholarly journals Addressing Needs of Older Adults in Low-Income Independent Living Facilities in Community Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 328-329
Author(s):  
Lisa Rauch ◽  
Toby Adelman ◽  
Daryl Canham ◽  
Nancy Dudley
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Complex Care ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Undergraduate Nursing ◽  
Complex Care Needs ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Access to quality care in long-term care settings including independent living facilities is needed for a diverse high-risk aging U.S. population. There is an urgent need to assess and address complex care needs of older adults living longer with chronic conditions and serious illness. However, a system to assess and identify health problems, intervene, and evaluate outcomes is lacking. This session presents learnings from a pilot study developed in collaboration with Nurse Managed Centers at low-income independent living facilities for older adults and undergraduate nursing students in community health practice. We will discuss the adaptation of the Omaha System for provision of care in independent living facilities to address complex care needs. Finally, we will discuss the impact of this project and its potential for healthcare transformation in independent living facilities and transformation of education in undergraduate nursing programs.

scholarly journals Building a Digital Bridge to Support Patient-Centered Care Transitions From Hospital to Home for Older Adults With Complex Care Needs: Protocol for a Co-Design, Implementation, and Evaluation Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Steele Gray ◽  
Terence Tang ◽  
Alana Armas ◽  
Mira Backo-Shannon ◽  
Sarah Harvey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Care Transitions ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Complex Care ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Centered Care ◽  
Hospital To Home ◽  
Complex Care Needs

BACKGROUND Older adults with multimorbidity and complex care needs (CCN) are among those most likely to experience frequent care transitions between settings, particularly from hospital to home. Transition periods mark vulnerable moments in care for individuals with CCN. Poor communication and incomplete information transfer between clinicians and organizations involved in the transition from hospital to home can impede access to needed support and resources. Establishing digitally supported communication that enables person-centered care and supported self-management may offer significant advantages as we support older adults with CCN transitioning from hospital to home. OBJECTIVE This protocol outlines the plan for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a Digital Bridge co-designed to support person-centered health care transitions for older adults with CCN. The Digital Bridge builds on the foundation of two validated technologies: Care Connector, designed to improve interprofessional communication in hospital, and the electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes (ePRO) tool, designed to support goal-oriented care planning and self-management in primary care settings. This project poses three overarching research questions that focus on adapting the technology to local contexts, evaluating the impact of the Digital Bridge in relation to the quadruple aim, and exploring the potential to scale and spread the technology. METHODS The study includes two phases: workflow co-design (phase 1), followed by implementation and evaluation (phase 2). Phase 1 will include iterative co-design working groups with patients, caregivers, hospital providers, and primary care providers to develop a transition workflow that will leverage the use of Care Connector and ePRO to support communication through the transition process. Phase 2 will include implementation and evaluation of the Digital Bridge within two hospital systems in Ontario in acute and rehab settings (600 patients: 300 baseline and 300 implementation). The primary outcome measure for this study is the Care Transitions Measure–3 to assess transition quality. An embedded ethnography will be included to capture context and process data to inform the implementation assessment and development of a scale and spread strategy. An Integrated Knowledge Translation approach is taken to inform the study. An advisory group will be established to provide insight and feedback regarding the project design and implementation, leading the development of the project knowledge translation strategy and associated outputs. RESULTS This project is underway and expected to be complete by Spring 2024. CONCLUSIONS Given the real-world implementation of Digital Bridge, practice changes in the research sites and variable adherence to the implementation protocols are likely. Capturing and understanding these considerations through a mixed-methods approach will help identify the range of factors that may influence study results. Should a favorable evaluation suggest wide adoption of the proposed intervention, this project could lead to positive impact at patient, clinician, organizational, and health system levels. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04287192; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04287192 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/20220

scholarly journals Self-management in older adults: how to delineate self-management ability, self-management behavior, and self-management support?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaske Wynia ◽  
Karin Veldman ◽  
Sophie Spoorenberg ◽  
Maarten Lahr ◽  
Menno Reijneveld
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Integrated Care ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Complex Care ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Risk Profiles ◽  
Management Ability ◽  
Complex Care Needs

Abstract Background: Self-management is a key element in person-centered and integrated care. It involves several related concepts, such as self-management ability, behavior, and support. These concepts are poorly delineated. The aim of this study was to examine hypothesized associations between self-management ability, behavior, and support in older adults (taking their frailty and complexity of care needs into account) and to examine underlying aspects of these concepts, if these hypotheses lacksupport.Methods: Cross-sectional data from the Embrace study, a stratified randomized controlled trial, evaluating person-centered and integrated care in Dutch community-living older adults, were used. Participants (n=537) were aged 75 and older, assigned to health-related risk profiles based on self-reported frailty and complexity of care needs. Ability was assessed with the Self-Management Ability Scale, behavior with the Partner in Health Scale for Older Adults, and support with the Patient Assessment of Integrated Elderly Care.Results: Ability and behavior were positively associated for participants with the risk profiles “Robust” and “Complex care needs” (betas are 0.38 and 0.46). Coping (an aspect of behavior) turned out to be a key element for participants with risk profiles “Robust” and “Complex care needs” (betas ranging from 0.13 to 0.45). Support was associated with aspects of behavior, varying per risk profile.Conclusion: We found no associations for self-management on the conceptual level, but the aspect coping did appear to play a major role. Improving coping strategies of older adults may be a promising way of enhancing self-management ability, and of reducing the need for self-management support.

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