Implementing Models of Geriatric Care-Behind the Scenes.

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Innovative geriatric clinical programs have increased, with many reported in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS).
• The Affordable Care Act has spurred program development, adaptation, and implementation.
• Published programs often demonstrate quality improvements, high satisfaction, and cost reductions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the need for comprehensive reporting on the implementation process of geriatric programs.
• To foster the exchange of knowledge regarding both successful and failed implementation strategies.
• To propose a new platform for sharing detailed accounts of healthcare quality improvement initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of existing literature in JAGS and other publications.
• Identification of critical "hidden" factors in program implementation.
• Proposal for a new reporting framework focusing on implementation science.

Main Results:

• Current reporting often lacks sufficient detail on implementation nuances.
• There is limited information on failed initiatives and reasons for differential success.
• Key characteristics for successful, sustainable implementation need to be identified and described.

Conclusions:

• A more comprehensive approach to reporting geriatric program implementation is needed.
• Sharing both successes and failures will enhance evidence-based adoption and adaptation of programs.
• A dedicated platform for implementation details can advance the field of geriatrics quality improvement.