Abstract
BackgroundTo provide quality care to the growing number of older patients, primary care physicians (PCPs) will require support from geriatric specialists. Multidisciplinary comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been found to improve outcomes in older people. This study explored the contribution of CGA to the management of older patients by their PCPs; PCP attitudes to CGA; and PCP satisfaction with CGA.MethodsTwo hundred PCPs in an Israeli Preferred Provider Organization were interviewed as part of an evaluative study of the contribution of a national outpatient CGA program to older patients, their families and physicians.ResultsThe main reasons for referral to CGA were cognitive impairment and rapid functional decline. Three domains described the contribution of CGA to PCPs: medical treatment, support in counseling patients, and treatment of cognitive impairment. About 69% of PCPs definitely agreed that CGA more fully addressed the physical, mental and social needs of patients than other consultative clinics. About half were very satisfied with the CGA staff’s attitudes to patients, their families and to the PCP.ConclusionsCGA contributed significantly to the care provided to older patients by PCPs. The expansion of CGA services deserves consideration.
Highlights
To provide quality care to the growing number of older patients, primary care physicians (PCPs) will require support from geriatric specialists
Physician characteristics In total, 360 physician names were provided by the five comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) clinics and 200 (56%) physicians agreed to participate
The medication recommendations given by the geriatric clinic take into account the patient’s 50 general condition more so than those given by other consultation clinics*
Summary
To provide quality care to the growing number of older patients, primary care physicians (PCPs) will require support from geriatric specialists. Multidisciplinary comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been found to improve outcomes in older people. As demographics shift to an aging population, primarycare physicians (PCPs) increasingly treat people with multiple chronic conditions and geriatric symptoms [1]. Future PCPs, to provide quality care to their older patients, will require more geriatric training and support from geriatric specialists [3,4,5]. The core of specialist care for older patients is the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) [6]. This interdisciplinary approach rests on a geriatric physician, nurse and social worker at the very least. It has been recommended that CGA be standard practice in the care of older people [6]
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