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Moïsi L, Mino JC, Guidet B, Vallet H. Frailty assessment in critically ill older adults: a narrative review. Ann Intensive Care 2024; 14:93. [PMID: 38888743 PMCID: PMC11189387 DOI: 10.1186/s13613-024-01315-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Frailty, a condition that was first defined 20 years ago, is now assessed via multiple different tools. The Frailty Phenotype was initially used to identify a population of "pre-frail" and "frail" older adults, so as to prevent falls, loss of mobility, and hospitalizations. A different definition of frailty, via the Clinical Frailty Scale, is now actively used in critical care situations to evaluate over 65 year-old patients, whether it be for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions, limitation of life-sustaining treatments or prognostication. Confusion remains when mentioning "frailty" in older adults, as to which tools are used, and what the impact or the bias of using these tools might be. In addition, it is essential to clarify which tools are appropriate in medical emergencies. In this review, we clarify various concepts and differences between frailty, functional autonomy and comorbidities; then focus on the current use of frailty scales in critically ill older adults. Finally, we discuss the benefits and risks of using standardized scales to describe patients, and suggest ways to maintain a complex, three-dimensional, patient evaluation, despite time constraints. Frailty in the ICU is common, involving around 40% of patients over 75. The most commonly used scale is the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), a rapid substitute for Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). Significant associations exist between the CFS-scale and both short and long-term mortality, as well as long-term outcomes, such as loss of functional ability and being discharged home. The CFS became a mainstream tool newly used for triage during the Covid-19 pandemic, in response to the pressure on healthcare systems. It was found to be significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. The improper use of scales may lead to hastened decision-making, especially when there are strains on healthcare resources or time-constraints. Being aware of theses biases is essential to facilitate older adults' access to equitable decision-making regarding critical care. The aim is to help counteract assessments which may be abridged by time and organisational constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Moïsi
- Department of Geriatrics, Hopital Saint-Antoine, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Sorbonne Université, 75012, Paris, France.
- UVSQ, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie Et Santé Des Populations, UMR 1018, Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France.
- Département d'éthique, Faculté de Médecine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
- Service de Gériatrie Aigue, Hopital St Antoine, 184 rue du Fbg St Antoine, 75012, Paris, France.
| | - J-C Mino
- UVSQ, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie Et Santé Des Populations, UMR 1018, Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France
- Département d'éthique, Faculté de Médecine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - B Guidet
- Service de Réanimation Médicale, Hopital Saint-Antoine, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 184 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012, Paris, France
- INSERM, UMRS 1136, Institute Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie Et de Santé Publique, 75013, Paris, France
| | - H Vallet
- Department of Geriatrics, Hopital Saint-Antoine, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Sorbonne Université, 75012, Paris, France
- UMRS 1135, Centre d'immunologie Et de Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI), Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Paris, France
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Koller TS, Janeva JK, Ognenovska E, Vasilevska A, Atanasova S, Brown C, Dedeu A, Johansen A. Towards leaving no one behind in North Macedonia: a mixed methods assessment of barriers to effective coverage with health services. Int J Equity Health 2024; 23:58. [PMID: 38491541 PMCID: PMC10943884 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-023-02082-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Government of North Macedonia's Primary Health Care reform is committed to leaving no one behind on the path to Universal health Coverage (UHC). During mid-2022 to March 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborated with the Government and other national stakeholders for an assessment of barriers to effective coverage with health services experienced by adult citizens, with a specific focus on rural areas and subpopulations in situations of vulnerability. METHODS This study constituted the piloting of a draft forthcoming WHO handbook on assessing barriers for health services, grounded in the Tanahashi framework for effective coverage with health services. In North Macedonia, the convergent parallel mixed methods study involved four sources. These were: a nationally representative Computer Assisted Telephone Interview Survey (1,139 respondents); 24 key informant interviews with representatives from government, professional associations, non-governmental and civil society organizations, and development partners; 12 focus groups in four regions with adults from vulnerable/high risk groups in rural areas and small urban settlements and an additional focus group with persons with disabilities; and a literature review. Instrument design was underpinned by the Tanahashi framework, which also orientated data triangulation and deductive analysis. The research team synergistically incorporated emerging themes in an inductive way. A key component of the assessment was participatory design of the study protocol with inputs from national stakeholders as well as participatory deliberation of the results and the ways forward. RESULTS Despite considerable progress towards UHC in North Macedonia, the assessment elucidated remaining challenges. These included: insufficient numbers of health workers, in general and particularly in the more disadvantaged regions of the country; inadequate number of outpatient medicines covered by health insurance; distance and transportation obstacles, including indirect travel costs, particularly in rural areas; adverse gender norms and relations for both women and men inhibiting timely treatment seeking; perceived discrimination by providers on multiple grounds; bottlenecks including waiting times to get appointments for specialist referrals; and lack of patient adherence, due several factors including costs of medicines and health products. CONCLUSIONS The outputs from this study of barriers to effective coverage with health services for adult citizens of North Macedonia are feeding into the ongoing Primary Health Care reform, and provide evidence for equity-related actions in the forthcoming National Development Strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theadora Swift Koller
- Department for Gender Equality, Human Rights and Health Equity, WHO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | | | | | | | - Simona Atanasova
- World Health Organization Country Office in North Macedonia, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Chris Brown
- WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development, Venice, Italy
| | - Antoni Dedeu
- WHO European Centre for Primary Health Care, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Anne Johansen
- World Health Organization Country Office in North Macedonia, Skopje, North Macedonia
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Tampaki M, Livada A, Fourka MN, Lazaridou E, Kotsani M, Benetos A, Sfikakis PP, Kravvariti E. Inappropriate prescribing in geriatric rural primary care: impact on adverse outcomes and relevant risk factors in a prospective observational cohort study. Aging Clin Exp Res 2023; 35:1901-1907. [PMID: 37428424 PMCID: PMC10460359 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02475-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several tools have revealed an association between potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) and adverse outcomes, but the one most fitted for the rural population has not been determined. AIMS We investigated the performance of the Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP) and Screening Tool to Alert doctors to the Right Treatment (START) in identifying inappropriate prescribing and its association with adverse outcomes among older rural primary health care users. METHODS A cohort of consenting outpatients aged ≥ 65 years in a rural Greek primary care center was assessed for PIM and potential prescribing omissions (PPO) using the START/STOPP version 2 criteria. Medications, comorbidities, functional status, and laboratory data were recorded along with 6-month incidence of emergency department visits, hospitalization, and death prospectively. RESULTS Among 104 participants (median age 78 years, 49.1% women, receiving a median of 6 drugs), PPO was found in 78% and PIMs in 61%. PIM was multivariately correlated with multimorbidity (p = 0.029) and polypharmacy (p < 0,001), while drug-PPO was only associated with multimorbidity (p = 0.039). The number of PIM predicted emergency department visits and hospitalizations at 6-month follow-up (p value 0.011), independent of age, sex, frailty, comorbidities, and total medication number. DISCUSSION The START/STOPP tool is useful in identifying inappropriate prescribing patterns leading to increased utilization of acute care services in older adults followed at a rural primary care setting. CONCLUSION Inappropriate prescribing as identified by the START/STOPP criteria is prevalent among older adults with multimorbidity in rural primary care, and independently associated with future acute care visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tampaki
- Postgraduate Medical Studies in Geriatric Syndromes and Physiology of Aging, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandra Livada
- Department of Statistics, Athens University of Economics and Business, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria-Niki Fourka
- Department of Statistics, Athens University of Economics and Business, Athens, Greece
| | - Elli Lazaridou
- Primary Medical Care Unit of Marmari, S. Evia, General Hospital of Karystos, Karystos, Greece
| | - Marina Kotsani
- Pôle « Maladies du Vieillissement, Gérontologie Et Soins Palliatifs », Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, Nancy, France
- Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanase Benetos
- Pôle « Maladies du Vieillissement, Gérontologie Et Soins Palliatifs », and INSERM DCAC u1116, Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, 54000, Nancy, France
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75, Mikras Asias St., Goudi, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Evrydiki Kravvariti
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75, Mikras Asias St., Goudi, 11527, Athens, Greece.
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Ilan Y. Department of Medicine 2040: Implementing a Constrained Disorder Principle-Based Second-Generation Artificial Intelligence System for Improved Patient Outcomes in the Department of Internal Medicine. INQUIRY : A JOURNAL OF MEDICAL CARE ORGANIZATION, PROVISION AND FINANCING 2023; 60:469580231221285. [PMID: 38142419 PMCID: PMC10749528 DOI: 10.1177/00469580231221285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Internal medicine departments must adapt their structures and methods of operation to accommodate changing healthcare systems. The present paper discusses some challenges departments of medicine face as healthcare providers and consumers continue to change. A co-pilot model is described in this article for augmenting physicians rather than replacing them. The paper presents the co-pilot models to improve diagnoses, treatments, and monitoring. Personalized variability patterns based on the constrained-disorder principle (CDP) are described to assess chronic therapies' effectiveness in improving patient outcomes. Based on CDP-based enhanced digital twins, this paper presents personalized treatments and follow-ups that improve diagnosis accuracy and therapy outcomes. While maintaining their professional values, departments of internal medicine must respond proactively to the needs of patients and healthcare systems. To meet the needs of patients and healthcare systems, they must strive for medical professionalism and adapt to the dynamic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaron Ilan
- Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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Stuck AE, Masud T. Health care for older adults in Europe: how has it evolved and what are the challenges? Age Ageing 2022; 51:6931745. [PMID: 36529998 PMCID: PMC9760902 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Geriatric medicine has evolved to an accepted specialty in 23 European countries. Despite much heterogeneity of postgraduate geriatric curricula, European societies have succeeded in defining a common core curriculum with a list of minimum training requirements for obtaining the specialty title of geriatric medicine. Geriatricians play a leading role in finding solutions for the challenges of health care of multimorbid older patients. One of these challenges is the demographic shift with the number of adults aged 80 years and older in Europe expected to double by 2050. Although geriatric units will play a role in the care of frail older patients, new care models are needed to integrate the comprehensive geriatric assessment approach for the care of the vast majority of older patients admitted to non-geriatric hospital units. Over the last few years, co-management approaches have been developed to address this gap. Innovative models are also in progress for ambulatory care, prevention and health promotion programs, and long-term care. Efforts to implement geriatric learning objectives in undergraduate training, and the generation of practice guidelines for geriatric syndromes may help to improve the quality of care for older patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas E Stuck
- Address correspondence to: Andreas E. Stuck, Geriatrics University Department, Inselspital, Freiburgstr. 46, CH 3010 Bern, Switzerland. Tel: +41 31 632 78 30; Fax: +41 31 632 69 42. E-mail:
| | - Tahir Masud
- Healthcare of Older People, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK,Medical Research Council and Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK,National Institute for Health and Care Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Disease theme, Nottingham, UK
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A scoping review of the changing landscape of geriatric medicine in undergraduate medical education: curricula, topics and teaching methods. Eur Geriatr Med 2022; 13:513-528. [PMID: 34973151 PMCID: PMC8720165 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-021-00595-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The world's population is ageing. Therefore, every doctor should receive geriatric medicine training during their undergraduate education. This review aims to summarise recent developments in geriatric medicine that will potentially inform developments and updating of undergraduate medical curricula for geriatric content. METHODS We systematically searched the electronic databases Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase and Pubmed, from 1st January 2009 to 18th May 2021. We included studies related to (1) undergraduate medical students and (2) geriatric medicine or ageing or older adults and (3) curriculum or curriculum topics or learning objectives or competencies or teaching methods or students' attitudes and (4) published in a scientific journal. No language restrictions were applied. RESULTS We identified 2503 records and assessed the full texts of 393 records for eligibility with 367 records included in the thematic analysis. Six major themes emerged: curriculum, topics, teaching methods, teaching settings, medical students' skills and medical students' attitudes. New curricula focussed on minimum Geriatrics Competencies, Geriatric Psychiatry and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment; vertical integration of Geriatric Medicine into the curriculum has been advocated. Emerging or evolving topics included delirium, pharmacotherapeutics, healthy ageing and health promotion, and Telemedicine. Teaching methods emphasised interprofessional education, senior mentor programmes and intergenerational contact, student journaling and reflective writing, simulation, clinical placements and e-learning. Nursing homes featured among new teaching settings. Communication skills, empathy and professionalism were highlighted as essential skills for interacting with older adults. CONCLUSION We recommend that future undergraduate medical curricula in Geriatric Medicine should take into account recent developments described in this paper. In addition to including newly emerged topics and advances in existing topics, different teaching settings and methods should also be considered. Employing vertical integration throughout the undergraduate course can usefully supplement learning achieved in a dedicated Geriatric Medicine undergraduate course. Interprofessional education can improve understanding of the roles of other professionals and improve team-working skills. A focus on improving communication skills and empathy should particularly enable better interaction with older patients. Embedding expected levels of Geriatric competencies should ensure that medical students have acquired the skills necessary to effectively treat older patients.
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Kotsani M, Kravvariti E, Avgerinou C, Panagiotakis S, Bograkou Tzanetakou K, Antoniadou E, Karamanof G, Karampeazis A, Koutsouri A, Panagiotopoulou K, Soulis G, Stolakis K, Georgiopoulos I, Benetos A. The Relevance and Added Value of Geriatric Medicine (GM): Introducing GM to Non-Geriatricians. J Clin Med 2021; 10:3018. [PMID: 34300184 PMCID: PMC8304813 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10143018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Geriatric Medicine (GM) holds a crucial role in promoting health and managing the complex medical, cognitive, social, and psychological issues of older people. However, basic principles of GM, essential for optimizing the care of older people, are commonly unknown or undermined, especially in countries where GM is still under development. This narrative review aims at providing insights into the role of GM to non-geriatrician readers and summarizing the main aspects of the added value of a geriatric approach across the spectrum of healthcare. Health practitioners of all specialties are frequently encountered with clinical conditions, common in older patients (such as cancer, hypertension, delirium, major neurocognitive and mental health disorders, malnutrition, and peri-operative complications), which could be more appropriately managed under the light of the approach of GM. The role of allied health professionals with specialized knowledge and skills in dealing with older people's issues is essential, and a multidisciplinary team is required for the delivery of optimal care in response to the needs and aspirations of older people. Thus, countries should assure the educational background of all health care providers and the specialized health and social care services required to meet the demands of a rapidly aging society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Kotsani
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- Department of Geriatrics, CHRU de Nancy, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
- FHU CARTAGE-PROFILES, Université de Lorraine, 54505 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Evrydiki Kravvariti
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- 1st Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Postgraduate Medical Studies in the Physiology of Aging and Geriatric Syndromes, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Avgerinou
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Symeon Panagiotakis
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Heraklion University Hospital, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Katerina Bograkou Tzanetakou
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- Medical Psychology Unit, School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, 1516 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Eleftheria Antoniadou
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- Rehabilitation Unit, Patras University Hospital, 26504 Rio, Greece
| | - Georgios Karamanof
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- Geriatric Clinic, Vrinnevi Hospital, 60379 Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Athanasios Karampeazis
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- Medical Oncology Unit, NIMTS Veterans Hospital, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Koutsouri
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- Henry Dunant Hospital Center, Outpatient Geriatric Assessment Unit, 11526 Athens, Greece
| | - Kyriaki Panagiotopoulou
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- Geriatric Ward, Hôpital “Sainte Thérèse”, VIVALIA-IFAC, 6600 Bastogne, Belgium
| | - George Soulis
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- Henry Dunant Hospital Center, Outpatient Geriatric Assessment Unit, 11526 Athens, Greece
- School of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Stolakis
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- School of Medicine, Patras University, 26504 Rio, Greece
| | - Ioannis Georgiopoulos
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- Department of Geriatrics, CHRU de Nancy, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
- FHU CARTAGE-PROFILES, Université de Lorraine, 54505 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Athanase Benetos
- Working Group on the Development of Geriatric Medicine in Greece of the Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, 15342 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (C.A.); (S.P.); (K.B.T.); (E.A.); (G.K.); (A.K.); (A.K.); (K.P.); (G.S.); (K.S.); (I.G.); (A.B.)
- Department of Geriatrics, CHRU de Nancy, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
- FHU CARTAGE-PROFILES, Université de Lorraine, 54505 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
- INSERM DCAC, 54505 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
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Avgerinou C, Kotsani M, Gavana M, Andreou M, Papageorgiou DI, Roka V, Symintiridou D, Manolaki C, Soulis G, Smyrnakis E. Perceptions, attitudes and training needs of primary healthcare professionals in identifying and managing frailty: a qualitative study. Eur Geriatr Med 2021; 12:321-332. [PMID: 33125682 PMCID: PMC7990835 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-020-00420-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although frailty can be delayed or prevented by appropriate interventions, these are often not available in countries lacking formal education and infrastructure in geriatrics. The aim of this study was to: (a) explore ideas, perceptions and attitudes of primary health care (PHC) professionals towards frailty in a country where geriatrics is not recognised as a specialty; (b) explore PHC professionals' training needs in frailty; and (c) define components of a frailty educational programme in PHC. METHODS Qualitative design, using two focus groups with PHC professionals conducted in Thessaloniki, Greece. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed with thematic analysis. RESULTS In total 31 PHC professionals (mean age: 46 years; gender distribution: 27 females, 4 males) participated in the study (physicians n = 17; nurses n = 12; health visitors n = 2). Four main themes were identified: (1) Perceptions and understanding of frailty; (2) Facilitators and barriers to frailty identification and management; (3) Motivation to participate in a frailty training programme; (4) Education and training. The main barriers for the identification and management of frailty were associated with the healthcare system, including duration of appointments, a focus on prescribing, and problems with staffing of allied health professionals, but also a lack of education. Training opportunities were scarce and entirely based on personal incentive. Professionals were receptive to training either face-to-face or online. A focus on learning practical skills was key. CONCLUSION Education and training of professionals and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential and much needed for the delivery of person-centred care for people with frailty living in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Avgerinou
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
| | - Marina Kotsani
- Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, Pôle "Maladies du Vieillissement, Gérontologie et Soins Palliatifs", 54000, Nancy, France
| | - Magda Gavana
- Laboratory of Primary Health Care, General Practice and Health Services Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Dimitra-Iosifina Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Primary Health Care, General Practice and Health Services Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Violeta Roka
- Farkadona Health Center, Farkadona, Trikala, Greece
| | | | | | - George Soulis
- Outpatient Geriatric Assessment Unit, Henry Dunant Hospital Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Smyrnakis
- Laboratory of Primary Health Care, General Practice and Health Services Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Kotsani M, Avgerinou C, Haidich AB, Smyrnakis E, Soulis G, Papageorgiou DI, Andreou M, Zeimbekis D, Kokkali S, Gavana M. Feasibility and impact of a short training course on frailty destined for primary health care professionals. Eur Geriatr Med 2021; 12:333-346. [PMID: 33646537 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-021-00467-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an unmet need for training primary health care professionals on frailty, especially in countries where geriatrics is still emerging. PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a training course for primary health care professionals on the detection, assessment, and management of frailty. METHODS A single-day training course, developed and facilitated by three physicians trained in geriatrics abroad, was organized by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Primary Hearth Care Research Network. Primary health care professionals' attitudes, knowledge, and everyday practices regarding frailty were assessed by self-administered anonymous questionnaires (using Likert-type scales) at three time-points (before, upon completion of the training course, and 3 months afterward). RESULTS Out of 31 participants (17 physicians, 12 nurses, 2 health visitors; 87.1% women; mean age 46.4 years), 31(100%) filled in the first, 30(97%) the second, and 25(81%) the third questionnaire. Improvements were reported in familiarization with the frailty syndrome (p = 0.041) and in self-perception of knowledge and skills to detect (p < 0.001) and manage (p < 0.001) frailty, that were also sustained 3 months afterward (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003 respectively). Improvement was also observed in the attitude that frailty is an inevitable consequence of aging (p = 0.007) and in the frequency of application of screening (but not management) strategies, 3 months following the workshop compared to baseline (p = 0.014). Participants reported less disagreement with the statement that systematic screening for frailty was unfeasible in their daily practice at 3 months compared to baseline (p = 0.006), mainly due to time restrictions. CONCLUSION A short skill-oriented training course can significantly and sustainably improve primary health care professionals' attitudes and practices regarding frailty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Kotsani
- Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, Pôle «Maladies du Vieillissement, Gérontologie et Soins Palliatifs», 54000, Nancy, France.
| | - Christina Avgerinou
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anna-Bettina Haidich
- Department of Hygiene, Social-Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Smyrnakis
- Laboratory of Primary Health Care, General Practice and Health Services Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George Soulis
- Outpatient Geriatric Assessment Unit, Henry Dunant Hospital Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Iosifina Papageorgiou
- Laboratory of Primary Health Care, General Practice and Health Services Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | - Stamatia Kokkali
- Department of Hygiene, Social-Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Magda Gavana
- Laboratory of Primary Health Care, General Practice and Health Services Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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