Frailty prevalence and efficient screening in primary care-based memory clinics.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the prevalence of frailty among patients with memory concerns attending a primary care-based memory clinic. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the prevalence of frailty among patients attending a primary care-based memory clinic and to determine if prevalence rates differ based on the screening tool that is used. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective medical record review for all consecutive patients assessed in a primary care-based memory clinic over 8 months. Frailty was measured in 258 patients using the Fried frailty criteria, which relies on physical measures, and the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), which relies on functional status. Weighted kappa statistics were calculated to compare the Fried frailty and the CFS. RESULTS: The prevalence of frailty was 16% by Fried criteria and 48% by the CFS. Agreement between Fried frailty and CFS was fair for CFS 5+ (kappa = 0.22; 95% confidence interval: 0.13, 0.32) and moderate for CFS 6+ (kappa = 0.47; 0.34, 0.61). Dual-trait measures of hand grip strength with gait speed were found to be a valid proxy for Fried frailty phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Among primary care patients with memory concerns, frailty prevalence rates differed based on the measure used. Screening for frailty in this population using measures relying on physical performance may be a more efficient approach for persons already at risk of further health instability from cognitive impairment. Our findings demonstrate how measure selection should be based on the objectives and context in which frailty screening occurs.

There is some evidence that frailty and dementia are inter-related. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of frailty among patients attending a primary care-based memory clinic using 2 commonly used frailty measures: the Fried frailty phenotype criteria and the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Frailty prevalence in patients with memory concerns is at least double that of regular primary care practice; prevalence is 16% when the Fried frailty phenotype is used, which incorporates physical frailty measures, as compared with prevalence of 48% when the more function-based measure of CFS is used. Screening tools should be selected considering the objectives and context in which they are used. Within primary care-based memory clinics, physical frailty measures may be most optimal. Using hand grip and gait speed screening as a valid proxy for Fried frailty phenotype offers a feasible and practical way of identifying frailty relating more to physical underlying conditions. Based on our study findings, frailty screening within primary care-based memory clinics is justified for patients 65 years+; early identification and intervention may prevent further decline and adverse outcomes. Further research in this area will increase our understanding of frailty and dementia in this context and how to best plan care.

Frailty screening in older adults: is annual screening necessary in primary care?

BACKGROUND: The Case-finding for Complex Chronic Conditions in Adults 75+ (C5-75) involves annual frailty screening in primary care using dual-trait screening measures of handgrip strength and gait speed, with additional screening for co-existing conditions in those deemed frail. OBJECTIVE: To identify low-risk individuals who could be screened for frailty every 2 years, rather than annually. METHODS: This study examined a prospective cohort of patients who completed at least two annual C5-75 screenings between April 2014 and December 2018. Handgrip strength and gait speed on initial assessment were categorized based on proximity to frailty thresholds and were used to predict frailty risk on the second assessment. We used Fisher's exact test to assess differences in risk. Logistic regression models tested associations between independent variables of age, patient activity level, falls history, grip strength and gait speed on first assessment and dependent variable of frailty on subsequent assessment. RESULTS: Analyses included 571 patients with two annual assessments. Frailty risk on the second assessment was significantly higher for patients who had gait speed or grip strength within 20% of the frailty threshold (5.7%), compared with the other categories (0.7%, 0.9%, 0%; P = 0.002); 60% of patients fell within these lower risk categories. Controlling for grip strength and gait speed, no other measures had significant associations with frailty risk. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that 60% patients are at low risk (<1%) of transitioning to frailty by the next annual assessment. Reducing screening frequency from annually to every 2 years may be appropriate for these patients.

Frail older adults are at greater risk for illness, functional decline, increased health service use and institutionalization. Adults 75 years of age and older should be screened regularly for frailty to provide early treatment for co-occurring conditions that may impact frailty but that may also be affected by frailty. Walking (gait) speed and handgrip strength are feasible measures of frailty to use on an annual basis in primary care. This study assesses the transition to frailty over a 1-year time period for the purpose of streamlining frailty screening in primary care for those patients who do not require annual screening. We found that when patients' grip strength and gait speed scores were 20% higher than the point at which people are identified as frail, they are at low risk for becoming frail by their next annual assessment. Frailty screening every 2 years may be appropriate for these patients. This streamlined screening process may make it more feasible for busy family practices to implement this type of frailty screening.

The geriatric certificate program: collaborative partnerships for building capacity for a competent workforce.

Many practicing health care providers find themselves ill-prepared to meet the complex care needs of older adults. The Geriatric Certificate Program (GCP) represents a collaborative partnership leveraging existing educational courses, with new courses developed to fill existing education gaps, aimed at improving quality of care for older adults. This paper describes the GCP and examines its impact on knowledge, skills, clinical practice, as well as confidence, comfort, and competence in providing geriatric care. Upon program completion, all graduates (N = 146; 100%) completed an online evaluation survey. The majority of graduates reported (5-point scale: 1 = much less now; 5 = much more now) being more confident (88%), comfortable (83%), and competent (89%) to provide optimal geriatric care than prior to the program. The GCP provides a significant opportunity for health care providers to build their capacity for the care of older adults. Key lessons learned in implementing the GCP and suggestions for further development are discussed.

Improving family medicine resident training in dementia care: An experiential learning opportunity in Primary Care Collaborative Memory Clinics.

Family physicians often find themselves inadequately prepared to manage dementia. This article describes the curriculum for a resident training intervention in Primary Care Collaborative Memory Clinics (PCCMC), outlines its underlying educational principles, and examines its impact on residents' ability to provide dementia care. PCCMCs are family physician-led interprofessional clinic teams that provide evidence-informed comprehensive assessment and management of memory concerns. Within PCCMCs residents learn to apply a structured approach to assessment, diagnosis, and management; training consists of a tutorial covering various topics related to dementia followed by work-based learning within the clinic. Significantly more residents who trained in PCCMCs (sample = 98), as compared to those in usual training programs (sample = 35), reported positive changes in knowledge, ability, and confidence in ability to assess and manage memory problems. The PCCMC training intervention for family medicine residents provides a significant opportunity for residents to learn about best clinical practices and interprofessional care needed for optimal dementia care integrated within primary care practice.

"Booster Days": An educational initiative to develop a community of practice of primary care collaborative memory clinics.

This study explores the value of a Booster Day education initiative for clinicians working in interprofessional Primary Care Collaborative Memory Clinics (PCCMC) to share updates in dementia care, challenging cases, key lessons learned, and best practices, as a mechanism to foster learning and support the PCCMC Community of Practice (CoP). Between 2010 and 2016, 17 annual Booster Days were delivered to health professionals who completed the PCCMC training program. All participants were invited to complete an evaluation survey in which they identified the ways in which the sessions have been helpful; 89% (1361/1530) completed surveys. The Booster Days were valued as opportunities for networking to learn from other clinicians, fostering a sense of community, learning new information, learning to support practice improvements, and team building. An annual Booster Day that incorporates active participant engagement, information sharing, and networking may effectively support CoPs, learning, team building, and practice change within interprofessional teams.

Lessons Learned in the Implementation of HealtheSteps: An Evidence-Based Healthy Lifestyle Program.

HealtheSteps is a pragmatic, evidence-based lifestyle prescription program aimed at reducing the rates of chronic disease, in particular, type 2 diabetes. A process evaluation was completed to assess the feasibility of the implementation of HealtheSteps in primary care and community-based settings across Canada. Key informant interviews (program providers and participants) were conducted to identify facilitators and barriers to implementation and opportunities for future program adaptation and improvement. Forty-three interviews were conducted across five regions in Canada (15 sites ranging from remote, rural, suburban, and urban). Transcripts were analyzed using a qualitative naturalistic inquiry approach with several facilitating factors identified: pragmatic program design, in-line goals with sites' mandates, and access to ongoing support. Barriers were related to administrative challenges such as booking space, personnel changeovers, and scheduling participants. Findings from this analysis revealed insights on program delivery, design, and importance of site champions. Key lessons learned focused on two areas: infrastructure support and program implementation. The application of these learnings from the HealtheSteps program may inform the development of strategies that can optimize program adaptation and support while reducing real and perceived barriers experienced, thus increasing the success of translation of the evidence-based diabetes program to different points of care.

Quality assurance as a foundational element for an integrated system of dementia care.

PURPOSE: Many countries are developing primary care collaborative memory clinics (PCCMCs) to address the rising challenge of dementia. Previous research suggests that quality assurance should be a foundational element of an integrated system of dementia care. The purpose of this paper is to understand physicians' and specialists' perspectives on such a system and identify barriers to its implementation. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The authors used interviews and a constructivist framework to understand the perspectives on a quality assurance framework for dementia care and barriers to its implementation from ten primary care and ten specialist physicians affiliated with PCCMCs. FINDINGS: Interviewees found that the framework reflects quality dementia care, though most could not relate quality assurance to clinical practice. Quality assurance was viewed as an imposition on practitioners rather than as a measure of system integration. Disparities in resources among providers were seen as barriers to quality care. Greater integration with specialists was seen as a potential quality improvement mechanism. Standardized electronic medical records were seen as important to support both quality assurance and clinical care. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This work identified several challenges to the implementation of a quality assurance framework to support an integrated system of dementia care. Clinicians require education to better understand quality assurance. Additional challenges include inadequate resources, a need for closer collaboration between specialists and PCCMCs, and a need for a standardized electronic medical record. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Greater health system integration is necessary to provide quality dementia care, and quality assurance could be considered a foundational element driving system integration.

How Do Older Adults Decide to Visit the Emergency Department? Patient and Caregiver Perspectives.

Seniors account for a high number of emergency department (ED) visits, yet little is known about how they decide to visit the ED. This paper reports on the results of surveys completed by 264 seniors who visited the ED and their caregivers and interviews with a subset (N = 51) of survey respondents, aimed at understanding how they decide to visit the ED. Although older adults rely on others to help them decide whether to visit the ED, only a small proportion consult healthcare providers in doing so. Opportunities exist for enhancing seniors' decision-making process regarding ED visits and access to community-based healthcare to avoid ED visits.

Improving the seniors' transition from hospital to the community: a case for intensive geriatric service workers.

BACKGROUND: Limited continuity of care, poor communication between healthcare providers, and ineffective self-management are barriers to recovery as seniors transition back to the community following an Emergency Department (ED) visit or hospitalization. The intensive geriatric service worker (IGSW) role is a new service developed in southern Ontario, Canada to address gaps for seniors transitioning home from acute care to prevent rehospitalization and premature institutionalization through the provision of intensive support and follow-up to ensure adherence to care plans, facilitate communication with care providers, and promote self-management. This study describes the IGSW role and provides preliminary evidence of its impact on clients, caregivers and the broader health system. METHODS: This mixed methods evaluation included a chart audit of all clients served, tracking of the achievement of goals for IGSW involvement, and interviews with clients and caregivers and other key informants. RESULTS: During the study period, 632 clients were served. Rates of goal achievement ranged from 25%-87% and in cases where achieved, the extent of IGSW involvement mostly exceeded recommendations. IGSWs were credited with improving adherence with treatment recommendations, increasing awareness and use of community services, and improving self-management, which potentially reduced ED visits and hospitalizations and delayed institutionalization. CONCLUSIONS: The IGSW role has the potential to improve supports for seniors and facilitate more appropriate use of health system resources, and represents a promising mechanism for improving the integration and coordination of care across health sectors.

Screening for frailty in primary care: Accuracy of gait speed and hand-grip strength.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the accuracy of individual Fried frailty phenotype measures in identifying the Fried frailty phenotype in primary care. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: A community-based primary care practice in Kitchener, Ont. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 516 patients 75 years of age and older who underwent frailty screening. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Using modified Fried frailty phenotype measures, frailty criteria included gait speed, hand-grip strength as measured by a dynamometer, and self-reported exhaustion, low physical activity, and unintended weight loss. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision were calculated for single-trait and dual-trait markers. RESULTS: Complete frailty screening data were available for 383 patients. The overall prevalence of frailty based on the presence of 3 or more frailty criteria was 6.5%. The overall prevalence of individual Fried frailty phenotype markers ranged from 2.1% to 19.6%. The individual criteria all showed sensitivity and specificity of more than 80%, with the exception of weight loss (8.3% and 97.4%, respectively). The positive predictive value of the single-item criteria in predicting the Fried frailty phenotype ranged from 12.5% to 52.5%. When gait speed and hand-grip strength were combined as a dual measure, the positive predictive value increased to 87.5%. CONCLUSION: There is a need for frailty measures that are psychometrically sound and feasible to administer in primary care. While use of gait speed or grip strength alone was found to be sensitive and specific as a proxy for the Fried frailty phenotype, use of both measures together was found to be accurate, precise, specific, and more sensitive than other possible combinations. Assessing both measures is feasible within primary care.

Primary Care Collaborative Memory Clinics: Building Capacity for Optimized Dementia Care.

Increasingly, primary care collaborative memory clinics (PCCMCs) are being established to build capacity for person-centred dementia care. This paper reflects on the significance of PCCMCs within the system of care for older adults, supported with data from ongoing evaluation studies. Results highlight timelier access to assessment with a high proportion of patients being managed in primary care within a person-centred approach to care. Enhancing primary care capacity for dementia care with interprofessional and collaborative care will strengthen the system's ability to respond to increasing demands for service and mitigate the growth of wait times to access geriatric specialist assessment.

The role of distributed education in recruitment and retention of family physicians.

BACKGROUND: Distributed medical education (DME) programmes, in which training occurs in underserviced areas, have been established as a strategy to increase recruitment and retention of new physicians following graduation to these areas. Little is known about what makes physicians remain in the area in which they train. OBJECTIVES: To explore the factors that contributed to family physician's decisions to practice in an underserviced area following graduation from a DME programme. METHODS: Semistructured inperson interviews were conducted with 19 family physicians who graduated from a DME residency training programme. Programme records were reviewed to identify practice location of DME programme graduates. RESULTS: Of the 32 graduates to date from this DME programme, 66% (N=21) and all of the interview participants established their practices in this region after completing their residency training. Five key themes were identified from the interview analysis as impacting physicians' decisions to establish their practice in an underserviced area following graduation: familial ties to the region, practice opportunities, positive clerkship and residency experiences, established relationships with specialists and services in the area and lifestyle opportunities afforded by the location. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that DME programmes can be an effective strategy for equalising the distribution of family physicians and highlights the ways in which these programmes can facilitate recruitment and retention in underserviced areas, including being responsive to residents' personal preferences and objectives for learning and shaping their residency experiences to meet to these objectives.

The South West Local Health Integration Network Behavioural Supports Ontario Experience.

Creating a seamless system of care with improved system and patient outcomes is imperative to the estimated 35,000 older adults living with mental health problems and addictions in the South West Local Health Integration Network. Building on existing investments and those offered through the Behavioural Supports Ontario program, strategies to improve system coordination were put in place, cross-sectoral partnerships were fostered, interdisciplinary teams from across the care continuum were linked, and educational opportunities were promoted. This evolving, co-created system has resulted in a decrease in alternate level of care cases among those with behavioural specialized needs and improved client/family perceptions of care. Also, in fiscal year 2014/15, it provided more than 7,000 care providers with learning opportunities.

Physicians' perceptions of capacity building for managing chronic disease in seniors using integrated interprofessional care models.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the barriers to and facilitators of adapting and expanding a primary care memory clinic model to integrate care of additional complex chronic geriatric conditions (heart failure, falls, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and frailty) into care processes with the goal of improving outcomes for seniors. DESIGN: Mixed-methods study using quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (interviews) methods. SETTING: Ontario. PARTICIPANTS: Family physicians currently working in primary care memory clinic teams and supporting geriatric specialists. METHODS: Family physicians currently working in memory clinic teams (n = 29) and supporting geriatric specialists(n = 9) were recruited as survey participants. Interviews were conducted with memory clinic lead physicians (n = 16).Statistical analysis was done to assess differences between family physician ratings and geriatric specialist ratings related to the capacity for managing complex chronic geriatric conditions, the role of interprofessional collaboration within primary care, and funding and staffing to support geriatric care. Results from both study methods were compared to identify common findings. MAIN FINDINGS: Results indicate overall support for expanding the memory clinic model to integrate care for other complex conditions. However, the current primary care structure is challenged to support optimal management of patients with multiple comorbidities, particularly as related to limited funding and staffing resources. Structured training, interprofessional teams, and an active role of geriatric specialists within primary care were identified as important facilitators. CONCLUSION: The memory clinic model, as applied to other complex chronic geriatric conditions, has the potential to build capacity for high-quality primary care, improve health outcomes,promote efficient use of health care resources, and reduce healthcare costs.

Hip fracture rate and osteoporosis treatment in Ontario: A population-based retrospective cohort study.

This population-based study analyzes hip fracture and osteoporosis treatment rates among older adults, stratified by place of residence prior to fracture. Hip fracture rates were higher among older adults living in the community and discharged to long-term care (LTC) after fracture, compared to LTC residents and older adults living in the community. Only 23% of LTC residents at high fracture risk received osteoporosis treatment. PURPOSE: This population-based study examines hip fracture rate and osteoporosis management among long-term care (LTC) residents > 65 years of age compared to community-dwelling older adults at the time of fracture and admitted to LTC after fracture, in Ontario, Canada. METHODS: Healthcare utilization and administrative databases were linked using unique, encoded identifiers from the ICES Data Repository to estimate hip fractures (identified using the Public Health Agency of Canada algorithm and International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes) and osteoporosis management (pharmacotherapy) among adults > 66 years from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2018. Sex-specific and age-standardized rates were compared by pre-fracture residency and discharge location (i.e., LTC to LTC, community to LTC, or community to community). Fracture risk was determined using the Fracture Risk Scale (FRS). RESULTS: At baseline (2014/15), the overall age-standardized hip fracture rate among LTC residents was 223 per 10,000 person-years (173 per 10,000 females and 157 per 10,000 males), 509 per 10,000 person-years (468 per 10,000 females and 320 per 10,000 males) among the community to LTC cohort, and 31.5 per 10,000 person-years (43.1 per 10,000 females and 25.6 per 10,000 males). During the 5-year observation period, the overall annual average percent change (APC) for hip fracture increased significantly in LTC (AAPC = + 8.6 (95% CI 5.0 to 12.3; p = 0.004) compared to the community to LTC group (AAPC = + 2.5 (95% CI - 3.0 to 8.2; p = 0.248)) and the community-to-community cohort (AAPC - 3.8 (95% CI - 6.7 to - 0.7; p = 030)). However, hip fracture rate remained higher in the community to LTC group over the study period. There were 33,594 LTC residents identified as high risk of fracture (FRS score 4 +), of which 7777 were on treatment (23.3%). CONCLUSION: Overall, hip fracture rates have increased in LTC and among community-dwelling adults admitted to LTC after fracture. However, hip fracture rates among community-dwelling adults have decreased over time. A non-significant increase in osteoporosis treatment rates was observed among LTC residents at high risk of fracture (FRS4 +). Residents in LTC are at very high risk for fracture and require individualized based on goals of care and life expectancy.

Developing an integrated system of care for frail seniors.

A consultation process was undertaken with healthcare providers in the Waterloo Wellington region of southern Ontario to assess current system strengths, challenges and gaps in providing care to frail seniors. The findings were used to implement strategies for improving system integration.

Enhancing care for individuals with mobility impairments: lessons learned in the implementation of a primary care-based mobility clinic.

Persons with mobility impairments experience significant barriers to primary healthcare. This study examines key lessons learned, as derived from interviews with referral sources and Centre for Family Medicine Mobility Clinic team members, in the development and implementation of a primary care-based mobility clinic aimed at reducing these barriers, and it reflects on the implications of this model of care on the system of care. Results highlight the importance of accessibility, specialized equipment, promotional activities and management support as well as challenges reflected by system barriers to care. The results of this study have implications for the application of this model of care in other settings.

An innovative approach to recruiting participants for dementia research: primary care and researcher perspectives.

Aim: To describe clinician and researcher perceptions of a new, patient preference focused approach to recruiting patients for research from primary care-based memory clinics. Methods: Memory clinic clinicians completed a survey and key informants completed an individual interview to gather their perceptions of this new program. Results: The majority of clinicians were 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with this recruitment approach and indicated that this approach would have minimal negative impact on patient care or create conflict of interest. Key informants valued the program for its patient-centred approach, the integration of research into care and potential for increased recruitment. Discussion: These findings are suggestive of support for this recruitment approach. Pilot testing will inform feasibility, effectiveness and process improvements.

A "Patient Preference" Model of Recruitment for Research from Primary-Care-Based Memory Clinics: A Promising New Approach.

Recruiting persons with dementia for clinical trials can be challenging. Building on a guide initially developed to assist primary-care-based memory clinics in their efforts to support research, a key stakeholder working group meeting was held to develop a standardized research recruitment process, with input from patients, care partners, researchers, and clinicians. Discussions in this half-day facilitated meeting focused on the wishes and needs of patients and care partners, policy and procedures for researchers, information provided to patients, and considerations for memory clinics. Patients and care partners valued the opportunity to contribute to science and provided important insights on how to best facilitate recruitment. Discussions regarding proposed processes and procedures for research recruitment highlighted the need for a new, patient-driven approach. Accordingly, a key stakeholder co-designed "Memory Clinic Research Match" program was developed that has the potential to overcome existing barriers and to increase recruitment for dementia-related research.

Cost-utility analysis of a multispecialty interprofessional team dementia care model in Ontario, Canada.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the cost-effectiveness of Multi-specialty INterprofessional Team (MINT) Memory Clinic care in comparison to the provision of usual care. DESIGN: Using a Markov-based state transition model, we performed a cost-utility (costs and quality-adjusted life years, QALY) analysis of MINT Memory Clinic care and usual care not involving MINT Memory Clinics. SETTING: A primary care-based Memory Clinic in Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: The analysis included data from a sample of 229 patients assessed in the MINT Memory Clinic between January 2019 and January 2021. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Effectiveness as measured in QALY, costs (in Canadian dollars) and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio calculated as the incremental cost per QALY gained between MINT Memory Clinics versus usual care. RESULTS: MINT Memory Clinics were found to be less expensive ($C51 496 (95% Crl $C4806 to $C119 367) while slightly improving quality of life (+0.43 (95 Crl 0.01 to 1.24) QALY) compared with usual care. The probabilistic analysis showed that MINT Memory Clinics were the superior treatment compared with usual care 98% of the time. Variation in age was found to have the greatest impact on cost-effectiveness as patients may benefit from the MINT Memory Clinics more if they receive care beginning at a younger age. CONCLUSION: Multispecialty interprofessional memory clinic care is less costly and more effective compared with usual care and early access to care significantly reduces care costs over time. The results of this economic evaluation can inform decision-making and improvements to health system design, resource allocation and care experience for persons living with dementia. Specifically, widespread scaling of MINT Memory Clinics into existing primary care systems may assist with improving quality and access to memory care services while decreasing the growing economic and social burden of dementia.