The functionality and the quality of the geriatric service chain
The chain providing services for people aged over 70 and their families is typically experienced as complicated and inadequate. Also the implementation of the professional geriatric care often leaves room for improvements. As well as identifying the older people who are considered to fall within a risk-group, they also should be offered the opportunity to receive a comprehensive geriatric assessment. The objective of this assessment, in addition to the medical evaluation and management, should include an individual health promotion and rehabilitation plan. When managing older people’s acute medical problems, the emphasis should be in prompt and high-quality treatment in order to advance their recovery and to ensure continued living at home.
The purpose of this research project is to examine the functionality and the quality of the geriatric services from the older person’s view point. The focus of the research is in the following geriatric services: 1) preventive home visits and health checks, 2) home care and residential housing, 3) geriatric policlinics, 4) community health hospital services, 5) local specialist medical care and 6) long-term institutional care
The material used varies from the Health Check information from Tampere and Hämeenlinna to the RAI-information from the city of Tampere and from the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). Also interviews with older people, health care personnel, management and local politicians are used for collecting data.
Funding
Pirkanmaa Hospital District (competetive research funds)
Research group
Principal investigator
Jaakko Valvanne, professor, jaakko.valvanne[at]uta.fi School of Medicine, University of Tampere
Postdoctoral researchers
Lauri Seinelä, LT, lauri.seinela[at]uta.fi, School of Medicine, University of Tampere
Heini Huhtala, University Lecturer, heini.huhtala[at]uta.fi, School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere
Tapio Kirsi, University Lecturer, tapio.kirsi[at]uta.fi, School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere
Jämsen Esa, Clinical Lecturer, esa.jamsen(at)uta.fi, School of Medicine, University of Tampere
Doctoral students
Milla Papunen, milla.papunen[at]uta.fi, ‘Terve 80’-project: health status, medication and overall assessment of medication in older people
Elina Mylläri, elina.myllari[at]uta.fi, The quality of older acute patients’ treatment
Jukka Rönneikkö, jukka.ronneikko[at]uta.fi, Home Care RAI as a tool for focusing gerontological assessment
Publications
Editorial, Suomen Lääkärilehti:2011 Hoitoketjut toimiviksi potilaan ketjuiksi
http://www.fimnet.fi/cl/laakarilehti/pdf/2011/SLL322011-2227.pdf
Editorial, Suomen Lääkärilehti 2012: Riskivanhukset tulisi tunnistaa paremmin
http://www.fimnet.fi/cl/laakarilehti/pdf/2012/SLL32012-132.pdf
Collaborators
School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere (Marja Jylhä, Päivi Åstedt-Kurki)
The City of Tampere (Eeva Päivärinta)
The City of Hämeenlinna (Ulla Helin)
The Pirkanmaa Hospital District (Tuuli Löfgren)
National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Health and Social Services, Aging and Services (Harriet Finne-Soveri, Anja Noro)