Improving the Quality of Geriatric Care for the Healthy Elderly in a Comprehensive Health Centers in Iran

 In the geriatric care provided in health centers, the healthy elderly are neglected. This qualitative study aims to improve the quality of geriatric care for the healthy elderly.

This community-based participatory study was conducted from 2016 to 2018 with the participation of 11 healthcare providers, 54 older people and 54 family members in Shahid Motahari Comprehensive Health Center in Mashhad, Iran. The mean age of healthcare providers was 32.4±2.7 years with a work experience 8.3 years. The mean age of the elderly was 64.3±3.9 years. Data were collected using the SERVQUAL questionnaire and interviews, focus group discussions, and field note taking. After identifying the problems through interviews with 8 personnel and 19 older people, group discussion sessions were held to design the change programs. After implementing the change programs, 30 interviews were conducted with the participants and comparisons were made before and after the programs. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the qualitative data, and descriptive statistics and paired t-test were used to analyze the quantitative data.

 The mean total score of service quality according to the elderly and their families in the pre-intervention stage was 63.02±9.46 and 61.83±9.05, respectively. These values reached 130.09±14.75 and 122.65±13.56 in the post-intervention stage, and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). The presented dynamic care model was able to improve geriatric care for the healthy elderly in the comprehensive health center by modifying the attitude, skills and empowerment of staff.

 The dynamic care model can improve the quality of geriatric services for the healthy elderly with features such as active, participatory, continuous, comprehensive and supportive care. It can be used in other health centers.