Effect of preventive primary care outreach on health related quality of life among older adults at risk of functional decline: randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of a provider initiated primary care outreach intervention compared with usual care among older adults at risk of functional decline.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Patients enrolled with 35 family physicians in five primary care networks in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.


METHODS
Patients were eligible if they were 75 years of age or older and were not receiving home care services. Of 3166 potentially eligible patients, 2662 (84%) completed the validated postal questionnaire used to determine risk of functional decline. Of 1724 patients who met the risk criteria, 769 (45%) agreed to participate and 719 were randomised.


METHODS
The 12 month intervention, provided by experienced home care nurses in 2004-6, consisted of a comprehensive initial assessment using the resident assessment instrument for home care; collaborative care planning with patients, their families, and family physicians; health promotion; and referral to community health and social support services.


METHODS
Quality adjusted life years (QALYs), use and costs of health and social services, functional status, self rated health, and mortality.


RESULTS
The mean difference in QALYs between intervention and control patients during the study period was not statistically significant (0.017, 95% confidence interval -0.022 to 0.056; P=0.388). The mean difference in overall cost of prescription drugs and services between the intervention and control groups was not statistically significant, (-$C165 ( pound107; euro118; $162), 95% confidence interval -$C16 545 to $C16 214; P=0.984). Changes over 12 months in functional status and self rated health were not significantly different between the intervention and control groups. Ten patients died in each group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study do not support adoption of this preventive primary care intervention for this target population of high risk older adults. Trial registration Clinical trials NCT00134836.
Ploeg
Jenny
J
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1200 Main St W, Room HSc-3N28G Hamilton, ON, Canada L8N 3Z5. ploegj@mcmaster.ca
Brazil
Kevin
K
Hutchison
Brian
B
Kaczorowski
Janusz
J
Dalby
Dawn M
DM
Goldsmith
Charles H
CH
Furlong
William
W
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012307:Risk Factors
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