Outcome Indicators on Interprofessional Collaboration Interventions for Elderly

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Healthcare Management
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Geriatric care requires complex, continuous, multidisciplinary health services.
• Effective interprofessional outcomes are crucial for the elderly population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and summarize indicators of effective interprofessional outcomes in geriatric care.
• Identify key outcome measures for interprofessional collaboration in elderly care.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of literature databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO).
• Search conducted up to June 2014, identifying 689 references.
• 29 studies met inclusion criteria for analysis.

Main Results:

• Interprofessional interventions showed positive overall effects but with heterogeneous outcomes.
• Significant improvements were noted in 17/24 'collaboration' indicators and 15/32 'patient outcome' indicators.
• Limited significant findings were observed in the 'costs' category.

Conclusions:

• Interprofessional collaboration in elderly care positively impacts collaboration and patient-level outcomes.
• Key indicators include collaboration elements, patient satisfaction, quality of care, pain, falls, quality of life, independence, mood, hospital stay, and mortality.
• Further investigation into the short- and long-term costs of these interventions is necessary.