Care home medicine in the UK--in from the cold.
The quality of care within care homes comes under frequent media scrutiny, and is underpinned by the medical support to the staff. In the UK, medical care to care homes is provided by general practitioners. A GP is likely to have patients in many homes, and each home relates to many GPs. The growing complexity of patients in care requires proactive models of care delivered by those with an understanding of care home medicine. A range of innovative models of medical care are emerging across the UK which have the potential to improve the standard of care in homes, and reduce inappropriate use of secondary care admissions. These models are described, and the need for them to be subjected to evaluation.
Donald
Ian P
IP
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Great Western Road, Gloucester GL1 3NN, UK. Ian.Donald@glos.nhs.uk
Gladman
John
J
Conroy
Simon
S
Vernon
Martin
M
Kendrick
Elizabeth
E
Burns
Eileen
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D006113:United Kingdom