Evaluating the Co-design of an Age-Friendly, Rural, Multidisciplinary Primary Care Model: A Study Protocol

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Services Research
• Primary Care

Background:

• Rising rates of frailty and chronic disease in older populations necessitate innovative primary care models.
• Existing age-friendly integrated care frameworks lack specific adaptations for rural contexts.
• There is a critical need for evidence on developing integrated care sensitive to rural challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the use of the Indigo 4Ms Framework within a co-design process.
• To facilitate the development of integrated care models for rural older people.
• To evaluate co-design processes and their impact on integrated working practices.

Main Methods:

• Assembling a co-design team including older adults and local health, aged care, and community representatives.
• Utilizing the Indigo 4Ms Framework as a guide for co-design activities.
• Conducting process and outcome evaluations of the co-design activities.

Main Results:

• Identifying facilitators and barriers to co-designing a 4Ms integrated care approach.
• Assessing how the Indigo 4Ms Framework influences integrated working practices.
• Gathering insights into the development of age-friendly integrated care models for rural settings.

Conclusions:

• Co-design, guided by the Indigo 4Ms Framework, can facilitate the development of integrated care models for rural older adults.
• This approach has the potential to enhance integrated working practices in rural health and aged care services.
• The study contributes to understanding how to make rural health and aged care more age-friendly and person-centered.