Does the patient-centred approach help identify the needs of older people attending primary care?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of a general practitioner's 'patient centredness' on identification of unmet needs in older adults.


METHODS
Correlational questionnaire based study with a descriptive element.


METHODS
Two south London general practice surgeries.


METHODS
Sixty seven patients over the age of 65 visiting their general practitioner (GP) for a new episode of care.


METHODS
Assessment of unmet needs and patients' perceptions of GP patient centredness.


RESULTS
Having one or more unmet needs on the Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly (CANE) was not associated with evaluations of GP patient centredness (t (64) = - 0.334, P = 0.740). After their GP consultation, 35 (52.2%) participants still had at least one unmet need on the CANE. The most common unmet needs were information (13, 19.4%), eyesight/hearing (11, 16.4%) and benefits (11, 16.4%). A large proportion of the patient sample (28, 41.8%) who perceived their problems were dealt with by the consultation, had unmet needs on the CANE.


CONCLUSIONS
The patient-centred approach was highly valued but was not linked to reduced unmet needs. Many older people tolerate unmet needs and seem reluctant to acknowledge them or mention them to their GP.
Smith
Fiona
F
University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
Orrell
Martin
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000639:trends*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010358:Patient Participation; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000639:trends*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*