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The CareWell-primary care program: design of a cluster controlled trial and process evaluation of a complex intervention targeting community-dwelling frail elderly.

Authors :
Ruikes, Franca GH
Meys, Antoinette RM
van de Wetering, Gijs
Akkermans, Reiner P
val Gaal, Betsie GI
Zuidema, Sytse U
Schers, Henk J
van Achterberg, Theo
Koopmans, Raymond TCM
Source :
BMC Family Practice. 2012, Vol. 13 Issue 1, p115-123. 9p.
Publication Year :
2012

Abstract

Background: With increasing age and longevity, the rising number of frail elders with complex and numerous health-related needs demands a coordinated health care delivery system integrating cure, care and welfare. Studies on the effectiveness of such comprehensive chronic care models targeting frail elders show inconclusive results. The CareWell-primary care program is a complex intervention targeting community-dwelling frail elderly people, that aims to prevent functional decline, improve quality of life, and reduce or postpone hospital and nursing home admissions of community dwelling frail elderly. Methods/design: The CareWell-primary care study includes a (cost-) effectiveness study and a comprehensive process evaluation. In a one-year pragmatic, cluster controlled trial, six general practices are non-randomly recruited to adopt the CareWell-primary care program and six control practices will deliver 'care as usual'. Each practice includes a random sample of fifty frail elders aged 70 years or above in the cost-effectiveness study. A sample of patients and informal caregivers and all health care professionals participating in the CareWell-primary care program are included in the process evaluation. In the cost-effectiveness study, the primary outcome is the level of functional abilities as measured with the Katz-15 index. Hierarchical mixed-effects regression models / multilevel modeling approach will be used, since the study participants are nested within the general practices. Furthermore, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios will be calculated as costs per QALY gained and as costs weighed against functional abilities. In the process evaluation, mixed methods will be used to provide insight in the implementation degree of the program, patients' and professionals' approval of the program, and the barriers and facilitators to implementation. Discussion: The CareWell-primary care study will provide new insights into the (cost-) effectiveness, feasibility, and barriers and facilitators for implementation of this complex intervention in primary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14712296
Volume :
13
Issue :
1
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
BMC Family Practice
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
84697663
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-13-115