ABSTRACT
Many practicing health care providers find themselves ill-prepared to meet the complex care needs of older adults. The Geriatric Certificate Program (GCP) represents a collaborative partnership leveraging existing educational courses, with new courses developed to fill existing education gaps, aimed at improving quality of care for older adults. This paper describes the GCP and examines its impact on knowledge, skills, clinical practice, as well as confidence, comfort, and competence in providing geriatric care. Upon program completion, all graduates (N = 146; 100%) completed an online evaluation survey. The majority of graduates reported (5-point scale: 1 = much less now; 5 = much more now) being more confident (88%), comfortable (83%), and competent (89%) to provide optimal geriatric care than prior to the program. The GCP provides a significant opportunity for health care providers to build their capacity for the care of older adults. Key lessons learned in implementing the GCP and suggestions for further development are discussed.
Subject(s)
Capacity Building/methods , Curriculum/standards , Geriatrics/education , Health Services for the Aged , Health Workforce/standards , Staff Development , Aged , Clinical Competence , Health Services for the Aged/standards , Health Services for the Aged/trends , Humans , Interprofessional Education/methods , Quality Improvement , Staff Development/methods , Staff Development/organization & administrationSubject(s)
Ambulatory Care Facilities/organization & administration , Health Services for the Aged/organization & administration , Primary Health Care/organization & administration , Referral and Consultation/organization & administration , Waiting Lists , Canada , Health Services Accessibility/organization & administration , Humans , Program EvaluationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Limited continuity of care, poor communication between healthcare providers, and ineffective self-management are barriers to recovery as seniors transition back to the community following an Emergency Department (ED) visit or hospitalization. The intensive geriatric service worker (IGSW) role is a new service developed in southern Ontario, Canada to address gaps for seniors transitioning home from acute care to prevent rehospitalization and premature institutionalization through the provision of intensive support and follow-up to ensure adherence to care plans, facilitate communication with care providers, and promote self-management. This study describes the IGSW role and provides preliminary evidence of its impact on clients, caregivers and the broader health system. METHODS: This mixed methods evaluation included a chart audit of all clients served, tracking of the achievement of goals for IGSW involvement, and interviews with clients and caregivers and other key informants. RESULTS: During the study period, 632 clients were served. Rates of goal achievement ranged from 25%-87% and in cases where achieved, the extent of IGSW involvement mostly exceeded recommendations. IGSWs were credited with improving adherence with treatment recommendations, increasing awareness and use of community services, and improving self-management, which potentially reduced ED visits and hospitalizations and delayed institutionalization. CONCLUSIONS: The IGSW role has the potential to improve supports for seniors and facilitate more appropriate use of health system resources, and represents a promising mechanism for improving the integration and coordination of care across health sectors.
Subject(s)
Communication , Community Health Services/standards , Geriatrics , Transitional Care/standards , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Institutionalization , Interviews as Topic , Male , Ontario , Patient Compliance , Professional Role , WorkforceABSTRACT
A consultation process was undertaken with healthcare providers in the Waterloo Wellington region of southern Ontario to assess current system strengths, challenges and gaps in providing care to frail seniors. The findings were used to implement strategies for improving system integration.
