The use of geriatrics scales in ACeS Oeste Norte: continuous quality improvement project

Authors

  • Ana Rita Fontes da Costa USF Tornada https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0766-9631
  • Marina Oliveira Martins Médica Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. UCSP Pelicano Real. Caldas da Rainha, Portugal.
  • Ana Isabel Costa Medeiros Sá Rego Médica Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USISM. São Miguel, Açores, Portugal.
  • Sofia da Silveira Luz Caiado Ferrão Médica Interna de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF Global. Nazaré, Portugal.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v38i2.13112

Keywords:

Geriatric assessment, Elderly health, Quality improvement

Abstract

Introduction: The growth of the elderly population in Portugal is a very important reality. To properly evaluate this population some validated scales are used, which facilitates physicians’ work. However, the authors have the perception that these scales are not often used. Through this analysis, the authors have as objectives those as follows: to evaluate the knowledge of ACeS Oeste Norte physicians’ regarding geriatric scales; to improve the physicians’ knowledge about them and, finally, evaluate if such knowledge actually improved after the application of information disclosure strategies.

Methods: Pre-experimental study of continuous quality improvement, applied to resident doctors and family doctors of the ACeS Oeste Norte. Pre and post-intervention type, integrating an evaluation and improvement cycle, without a control group.

Results: Most doctors rarely apply these scales in their clinical practice. After the intervention, we verified that they started to be used more frequently. There was a statistically significant improvement in seven of the nine questions that were placed for the doctors to answer (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The application of geriatric evaluation scales facilitates decision-making when evaluating our patients. We tried to change some mistakes that might exist in this area of expertise by promoting a continuous quality improvement of our medical care services.

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Author Biographies

  • Marina Oliveira Martins, Médica Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. UCSP Pelicano Real. Caldas da Rainha, Portugal.

    Médica Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. UCSP Pelicano Real. Caldas da Rainha, Portugal.

  • Ana Isabel Costa Medeiros Sá Rego, Médica Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USISM. São Miguel, Açores, Portugal.

    Médica Assistente de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USISM. São Miguel, Açores, Portugal.

  • Sofia da Silveira Luz Caiado Ferrão, Médica Interna de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF Global. Nazaré, Portugal.

    Médica Interna de Medicina Geral e Familiar. USF Global. Nazaré, Portugal.

References

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Pilotto A, Cella A, Pilotto A, Daragjati J, Veronese N, Musacchio C, et al. Three decades of comprehensive geriatric assessment: evidence coming from different healthcare settings and specific clinical conditions. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2017;18(2):192.e1-11.

Soulis G, Kotovskaya Y, Bahat G, Duque S, Gouiaa R, Ekdahl AW, et al. Geriatric care in European countries where geriatric medicine is still emerging. Eur Geriatr Med. 2021;12(1):205-11.

Di Patrizio P, Blanchet E, Perret-Guillaume C, Benetos A. Quelle utilisation les médecins généralistes font-ils des tests et échelles à visée gériatrique? [What use general practitioners do they tests and scales referred to geriatric?]. Geriatr Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil. 2013;11(1):21-31. French

Ogrinc G, Armstrong GE, Dolansky MA, Singh MK, Davies L. SQUIRE-EDU (Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence in Education): publication guidelines for educational improvement. Acad Med. 2019;94(10):1461-70.

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Published

2022-04-29

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 2 (2022): Revista Portuguesa de Medicina Geral e Familiar

Section

Practice

License

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How to Cite

The use of geriatrics scales in ACeS Oeste Norte: continuous quality improvement project. (2022). Portuguese Journal of Family Medicine and General Practice, 38(2), 231-8. https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v38i2.13112