Evaluation of a Gerontology Nurse Specialist in Primary Care

Evaluation of a Gerontology Nurse Specialist in Pr…
09 Aug 2011
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This report is an evaluation of a demonstration site coordinated by Health Workforce New Zealand. A gerontology nurse specialist in primary care identifies at-risk older adults in a GP practice or practices, and coordinates their care.

Purpose

The aim of this pilot study is to create a pathway for the development of a PHO Gerontology Nurse Specialist (GNS) role within the primary care setting and the development of an Integrated Health Model.

Objectives:

  1. To assess the effectiveness and sustainability of a GNS working in a primary care setting.
  2. To describe a GNS led proactive risk screening process, using the Brief Risk Identification for Geriatric Health Tool (BRIGHT) screen, for older people in the community.
  3. To describe the impact of a comprehensive gerontology assessment and care planning intervention for older people identified as high risk in the community.
  4. To trial the interRAI MDS-HC in primary care.
  5. To explore the potential of the GNS role for upskilling the primary care workforce.

Key Results

The evaluation finds the role can: systematically screen GP patient lists for at-risk older people provide comprehensive and specialist caresave time for GPs and practice nursesimprove liaison between health professionals, older people and their familiespotentially reduce emergency department visits and hospital admissions.
Page last modified: 15 Mar 2018