Management options for elderly ill patients who present in the weekend.
An informal impression that there was a shortage of facilities for elderly patients who presented, with a routine illness, to a weekend duty doctor was studied by interviewing duty doctors and providers. The duty doctors stated that the major problems were the deficit in support from friends, relatives and neighbours and the lack of remuneration for the duty doctors. The doctors said that the main supports, paradoxically were friends, relatives and neighbours, and the acute medical ward. The recommended facilities included an urgent district nurse and a short-stay, assessment unit. Among providers only the medical ward and the private laboratories were willingly offering more than a minimal service.
Walsh
B H
BH
University of Auckland.
Thomson
A N
AN
Kinross
N J
NJ
D000368:Aged; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D006693:Holidays; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010820:Physicians; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*