Exploring the actions of general practitioners on abnormal findings identified by registered nurses conducting home comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGA).
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Date
2011
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Abstract
Background: In South Africa there data is lacking on the health of the older
population. This study aims to report on actions taken by general practitioners on
abnormal blood pressure, blood glucose and osteoporosis screen identified by
registered nurses, conducting home based visits to older clients.
Methods
An agency piloted the Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) tool in an urban
affluent population. In this cross sectional secondary study analysis, 465 participants
aged 60 years and over had a nurse visit in their homes and a subsequent General
Practitioner (GP) visit. The prevalence of specific geriatric problems was assessed as
well as the frequency of initiated procedures by the GP. This study will focus on
initiated actions by the General Practitioners in response to abnormal blood
pressures, blood glucose, and osteoporosis screen.
Results
Frequency tables were utilised to identify prevalence of the abnormal blood
pressures, blood glucose and osteoporosis screen. . Abnormal blood pressures were
detected (230/465, 49%) of the subjects , the GP initiated actions on only 15/465
(3.2%) of clients. Abnormal blood sugars were detected 106/465 (23%) of the GP
initiated actions on 23/465 (5%) of clients. Clinical risk factors for the development of
osteoporosis were detected in 252 /465 (54%) subjects GP initiated actions on 11/465
(3%)
Conclusion
This study explored the relationships between comprehensive geriatric assessment
and subsequent GP actions and found using the CGA in this population will be
successful in identifying abnormal health findings which will enable intervention.
However, due to challenges in the communications and marketing of this service, GP’s
were not well informed of their role and did not act on majority of the abnormal
findings detected by nurses
Description
Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.
Keywords
Physicians (General practice)--Attitudes., Geriatric nursing., Geriatrics--Diagnosis., Older people--Diseases., Theses--Nursing.