Impact of an interdisciplinary health care team on elderly patients' health-related quality of life, patient satisfaction, and health care utilization
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to develop and implement a mechanism for integrating and coordinating health care services for older patients' through the use of an interdisciplinary health care team. There were four main objectives: (1) To determine if elderly patients' perceived health-related quality of life is higher when an interdisciplinary health care team administers care, (2) To determine if care administered by an interdisciplinary health care team affects patients' perceived satisfaction with care, (3) To determine if care administered by an interdisciplinary health care team affects the elderly patients' health care costs, and (4) To determine the relationship between the characteristics of patients and the improvement of health-related quality of life with the provision of interdisciplinary health care. Three main measurement instruments were used to address these objectives: the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (health-related quality of life), Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short-Form (PSQ-18) (satisfaction with medical services), and Satisfaction with Pharmacy Services Questionnaire. During the six month study, patients (N = 33) over the age of 65 years completed these questionnaires three times (i.e., prior to the study, middle of the study, and conclusion of the study). Postcard diaries also were collected on a weekly basis to obtain health care services utilization. At the completion of the study, treatment group participants (received interdisciplinary care) were compared to control group participants (received traditional medical care) to determine the effects of the team. From the results, there was little evidence to support that the team impacted the elderly patients' quality of life, patient satisfaction, or health services utilization.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Mason, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Pharmaceuticals|Gerontology|Health care
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