Geriatric primary care is an area of healthcare that is becoming increasingly important as the world's population ages.
In many countries, the proportion of people aged 65 and over is expected to increase significantly over the next few decades. This demographic shift will have major implications for the delivery of healthcare services. Geriatric primary care models are designed to meet the needs of older patients, who often have multiple chronic conditions and require more coordinated and comprehensive care.
In this global edition, we will explore some of the key features of geriatric primary care models and highlight some examples of successful programs from around the world.
Key features of geriatric primary care models:
Interdisciplinary team-based care: Geriatric primary care models typically involve an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and others. This team-based approach is designed to provide more coordinated and comprehensive care to older patients with complex healthcare needs.
Comprehensive geriatric assessment: Comprehensive geriatric assessment is a key component of geriatric primary care models. This assessment involves a thorough evaluation of a patient's physical, cognitive, and functional status, as well as an assessment of their social support and care needs. The results of the assessment are used to develop a personalized care plan that takes into account the patient's unique needs and goals.
Care coordination: Care coordination is a critical component of geriatric primary care models. Older patients often have multiple chronic conditions and may see multiple healthcare providers, which can lead to fragmented care. Geriatric primary care models aim to improve care coordination by providing a single point of contact for patients and their families, as well as by using technology to share information and communicate more effectively among healthcare providers.
Examples of successful geriatric primary care programs:
The Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) program at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada, is a comprehensive geriatric assessment program that provides interdisciplinary care to older patients with complex healthcare needs. The program has been shown to improve patient outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and lower healthcare costs.
The Elder Service Plan (ESP) at the Chelsea Jewish Lifecare in Massachusetts, USA, is a community-based program that provides coordinated and comprehensive care to older adults living in the community. The program has been shown to improve patient outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and lower healthcare costs.
The Integrated Geriatric Outpatient Clinic at the University Hospital of Cologne in Germany is a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic that provides comprehensive geriatric assessments and coordinated care to older patients. The program has been shown to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.