Extended care in nursing homes: a program for a county teaching medical center

Area of Science:

• Geriatrics
• Internal Medicine
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Nursing home residents often experience fragmented care.
• Internal medicine residents require diverse clinical training, including geriatrics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a continuity care program for nursing home patients.
• To assess the impact of resident physician involvement on patient care quality.
• To determine the program's effect on resident geriatric training.

Main Methods:

• Implemented a paid continuity care program utilizing internal medicine residents.
• Residents assumed primary care for 1000 patients across 29 nursing homes.
• A faculty internist coordinated resident activities and monitored patient care.

Main Results:

• Achieved significant improvements in the continuity and quality of patient care.
• Provided residents with essential geriatric and nursing home experience.
• Residents demonstrated increased sensitivity and concern for nursing home patients' needs.

Conclusions:

• The program successfully enhanced patient care in nursing homes.
• The initiative offered valuable geriatric training for medical residents.
• Positive impacts on resident attitudes towards nursing home patients persisted post-training.