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Netta Bentur, Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute
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Abstract |
Introduction |
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A comprehensive, multi-disciplinary geriatric assessment (CGA), is considered appropriate for diagnoses and planning care for the elderly. Studies have shown that CGA can substantially contribute to improved functioning, perceptions of health and well-being, and to reduced levels of depression. Some researchers have also found that it can lead to reduction in community health services utilization and hospitalization. Nevertheless, the findings of some of the studies lack uniformity and are not unequivocal. To a limited extent, Israel's HMO's provide CGA, although there has long been debate regarding their responsibility to do so.
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Study Goals |
| 1) to map and analyze the characteristics of the elderly who have undergone a CGA, and to learn about the differences between geriatric clinics; 2) to examine changes in outcome indices (ADL and IADL functioning; health-related quality of life) among those who have undergone a CGA, compared to those who have not; 3) to examine the perceived contribution of CGA to the elderly, their families and their family physicians.
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Study Design |
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analytical study, partly retrospective and partly quasi-experimental-prospective, in which elderly members of the Maccabi Healthcare Service who have undergone a CGA will be compared with elderly members of the health plan who have not.
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Study Population |
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1) Elderly members of Maccabi who underwent a CGA in 2006 (some 1,200 people) (first goal); 2) random sampling of 150 elderly people, who will undergo a CGA at one of two Maccabi geriatric clinics, as well as family members and family physicians; 3) a matched sample of 150 elderly people from the Northern District (where Maccabi has no CGA clinic) who will not undergo such an assessment.
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Data Gathering Methodology |
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1) Data retrieval and analysis of the Maccabi databank and its CGA files; 2) Face to face interviews with the elderly and their informal caregiver, 3) Telephone interviews with family physicians.
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Importance and Contribution of the Study |
| The study will provide the HMO's and the Ministry of Health with information on the contribution of CGA clinics to improving the care of community dwelling elderly. As a result, the study may assist in arriving at more learned decisions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of developing such clinics, their contribution to the service recipients and their family physicians, definition of target population, and the tools needed to improve the service and operate it in an efficient and effective way. |