Background:
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.
Objectives:
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
Methods:
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. |