Geriatric outreach and training with care (GOT Care!): An interprofessional solution to enhance training for the healthcare workforce and improve outcomes for vulnerable older adults

48^th World Congress on Advanced Nursing Research

June 14-15, 2018 | Dublin, Ireland

Millicent M Malcolm

University of Connecticut, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Adv Practice Nurs

Abstract :

Geriatric outreach and training with care (GOT! Care), propelled with national grant funding, enhanced training for the geriatric workforce and improve outcomes for older adults. This academic-community partnership included geriatric faculty experts from nursing, medicine, dental medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, social work, and public health. The team trained healthcare students for culturally sensitive, evidenced-based interprofessional geriatric care. The faculty-student team participated in a home visit outreach program to improve outcomes for older adults with multiple chronic conditions and high emergency department (ED) use. Using a comprehensive geriatric assessment, the team identified risk factors for hospitalization and made recommendations to primary care providers. This innovative quality improvement project resulted in positive outcomes for students, faculty, patients and primary care providers. Interprofessional students (N=264) were trained together and data was collected using the collaborative practice assessment tool. A statistically significant increase (p<.000) in student pre and post scores were found in the community linkages, coordination of care, communication, and information exchange subscales. Contextual data revealed: a) mutual respect for team members, b) open dialogue and communication among disciplines, c) patient centered focus, d) strong desire for collaboration, e) members are given an active role, f) promotion of interprofessional care at post-conference discussions, and g) networking with agencies. The effectiveness of this project for older adults (N=60) followed the Institute of Medicine Triple Aim parameters. Data were collected with a mixed methods approach using PROMIS Global Health 10, the Modified Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) and an in-person interview. Results indicate GOT! Care to be cost-effective geriatric training program focusing on quality care and improved health for the older adults served, with high levels of satisfaction and decreased ED visits among the GOT! Care patients.

Biography :

Millicent M Malcolm is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Nursing. She was the Primary Investigator for geriatric outreach and training with care, a 3 year/1.4 mil government funded Inter Professional Training and Outreach Project. This project showed promise for inter professional collaborative education and practice as a means to improve vulnerable patient outcomes. She has been a Specialist in the care of older adults for over 30 years, board certified as a Gerentological Nurse Practitioner for the past 18 years. Her clinical practice focuses on home visits for frail older adults. Her research interests include inter professional training and practice, and reducing risks and preventing iatrogenic suffering for older adults. She was awarded the Connecticut Nurse Practitioner of the Year in 2015, and was inducted into the Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in 2016.
Email:Millicent.Malcolm@uconn.edu