Introduction
As the global population ages, the demand for effective long-term care (LTC) models increases. The rapid scoping review titled "Models of provider care in long-term care: A rapid scoping review" offers valuable insights into various care models evaluated to enhance the quality of life, care, and health outcomes for residents in LTC homes. This blog post aims to help practitioners improve their skills by implementing research findings or encouraging further exploration.
Key Findings from the Scoping Review
The review identified 366 studies, classifying them into two primary categories: healthcare service delivery and implementation strategies. Here are some key takeaways:
- Healthcare Service Delivery: This category included interventions such as adding new healthcare team members or services to LTC homes. Studies showed that access to primary care physicians and nurse practitioners (NPs) effectively reduced hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
- Implementation Strategies: These strategies focused on integrating new practices within LTC settings. While some areas like dementia care and medication management are well-researched, others like vision and hearing care require more attention.
Opportunities for Practitioners
Practitioners can leverage these findings to enhance care delivery in LTC settings:
- Focus on Multidisciplinary Teams: Incorporating diverse healthcare professionals, such as geriatricians, physiotherapists, and pharmacists, can improve resident outcomes. Studies have shown that multidisciplinary approaches can reduce hospital readmissions and improve medication management.
- Emphasize Under-Researched Areas: Areas like vision care, hearing care, and foot care have the potential to significantly impact residents' quality of life. Practitioners should consider these aspects when developing care plans.
- Utilize Technology: Telemedicine and electronic health records can enhance care coordination and monitoring, leading to better health outcomes.
Encouraging Further Research
While the scoping review provides a comprehensive overview, there are still gaps in the literature that need to be addressed. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in or support further research in the following areas:
- Exploring Optimal Care Models: Identifying the best mix of healthcare providers and interventions to achieve the best outcomes for LTC residents.
- Evaluating New Interventions: Conducting studies on less-researched interventions, such as those targeting specific conditions or underrepresented care areas.
- Assessing the Impact of Care Aides: Given their critical role in direct care, more research is needed to understand how to support and optimize the work of personal support workers (PSWs).
Conclusion
The rapid scoping review highlights the importance of diverse care models and interventions in improving LTC outcomes. Practitioners can utilize these insights to refine their approaches, ensuring that residents receive the highest quality of care. By focusing on multidisciplinary teams, under-researched areas, and technology, practitioners can drive meaningful improvements in LTC settings.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Models of provider care in long-term care: A rapid scoping review.
