Impact of PRISMA, a coordination-type integrated service delivery system for frail older people in Quebec (Canada): A quasi-experimental study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of a coordination-type integrated service delivery (ISD) model on health, satisfaction, empowerment, and services utilization of frail older people.


METHODS
Program of Research to Integrate Services for the Maintenance of Autonomy (PRISMA) is a population-based, quasi-experimental study with three experimental and three comparison areas. From a random selection of people 75 years or older, 1,501 persons identified at risk of functional decline were recruited (728 experimental and 773 comparison). Participants were measured over 4 years for disabilities (Functional Autonomy Measurement System), unmet needs, satisfaction with services, and empowerment. Information on utilization of health and social services was collected by bimonthly telephone questionnaires.


RESULTS
Over the last 2 years (when the implementation rate was over 70%), there were 62 fewer cases of functional decline per 1,000 individuals in the experimental group. In the fourth year of the study, the annual incidence of functional decline was lower by 137 cases per 1,000 in the experimental group, whereas the prevalence of unmet needs in the comparison region was nearly double the prevalence observed in the experimental region. Satisfaction and empowerment were significantly higher in the experimental group. For health services utilization, a lower number of visits to emergency rooms and hospitalizations than expected was observed in the experimental cohort.


CONCLUSIONS
The PRISMA model improves the efficacy of the health care system for frail older people.
Hébert
Réjean
R
Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. Rejean.Hebert@USherbrooke.ca
Raîche
Michel
M
Dubois
Marie-France
MF
Gueye
N'Deye R
NR
Dubuc
Nicole
N
Tousignant
Michel
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D055048:Integrative Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017146:Models, Organizational; D015995:Prevalence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology