Keywords: Geriatric assessment; mobile team; rural areas

Background:

Mobile Geriatric Teams (MGTs) are outreach services designed to assess and treat elderly patients in their own environments, bridging the gap for those unable to access routine healthcare and reducing the risk of under-diagnosis and under-treatment.

Research questions:

To assess the effectiveness of initiated comprehensive geriatric assessment by an MGT for elderly patients living in the Northern district of Israel and compare the characteristics of this population with those of patients of similar age who did not use MGT services at the southern district of Israel.

Method:

A retrospective, database study serving as a proof-of-concept evaluation for MGT implementation in Israel.

Results:

A total of 8,152 individuals were included in the study; 4,348 were assessed by MGTs. The MGT group participants were slightly older, had a higher proportion of males, and had a lower socioeconomic status (SES) than the control group. The MGTs group had fewer diagnoses of MCI, dementia, and depression, compared to the control group. They also had more diagnoses of orthostatic hypotension, and they were more likely to be assessed for fall risk. The MGT group was also prescribed fewer medications in the months following the assessment. After the MGT intervention, we observed an increase in primary care visits among the relevant population in the district where it was implemented, whereas the control group did not show a similar trend.

Conclusions:

MGTs can reach a specific subpopulation of the elderly who might not otherwise undergo a geriatric assessment, primarily males, those of low SES, and possibly those with less urgent health concerns. These findings highlight the complementary role of MGTs in increasing accessibility, promoting equity, and addressing unmet needs in populations less likely to seek care on their own.

Points for discussion:

Are mobile teams good for continuity of care with elderly patients?

What are the best ways to assess such service?