TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving Patient Activation among Older Veterans
T2 - Results from a Social Worker-Led Care Transitions Intervention
AU - Koufacos, Nicholas S.
AU - May, Justine
AU - Judon, Kimberly M.
AU - Franzosa, Emily
AU - Dixon, Brian E.
AU - Schubert, Cathy C.
AU - Schwartzkopf, Ashley L.
AU - Guerrero, Vivian M.
AU - Traylor, Morgan
AU - Boockvar, Kenneth S.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Older veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) often use both VHA and non-VHA providers for their care. This dual use, especially around an inpatient visit, can lead to fragmented care during the time of transition post-discharge. Interventions that target patient activation may be valuable ways to help veterans manage complex medication regimens and care plans from multiple providers. The Care Transitions Intervention (CTI) is an evidence-based model that helps older adults gain confidence and skills to achieve their health goals post-discharge. Our study examined the impact of CTI upon patient activation for veterans discharged from non-VHA hospitals. In total, 158 interventions were conducted for 87 veterans. From baseline to follow-up there was a significant 1.7-point increase in patient activation scores, from 5.4 to 7.1. This association was only found among those who completed the intervention. The most common barriers to completion were difficulty reaching the veteran by phone, patient declining the intervention, and rehospitalization during the 30 days post-discharge. Care transitions guided by social workers may be a promising way to improve patient activation. However, future research and practice should address barriers to completion and examine the impact of increased patient activation on health outcomes.
AB - Older veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) often use both VHA and non-VHA providers for their care. This dual use, especially around an inpatient visit, can lead to fragmented care during the time of transition post-discharge. Interventions that target patient activation may be valuable ways to help veterans manage complex medication regimens and care plans from multiple providers. The Care Transitions Intervention (CTI) is an evidence-based model that helps older adults gain confidence and skills to achieve their health goals post-discharge. Our study examined the impact of CTI upon patient activation for veterans discharged from non-VHA hospitals. In total, 158 interventions were conducted for 87 veterans. From baseline to follow-up there was a significant 1.7-point increase in patient activation scores, from 5.4 to 7.1. This association was only found among those who completed the intervention. The most common barriers to completion were difficulty reaching the veteran by phone, patient declining the intervention, and rehospitalization during the 30 days post-discharge. Care transitions guided by social workers may be a promising way to improve patient activation. However, future research and practice should address barriers to completion and examine the impact of increased patient activation on health outcomes.
KW - Intervention research
KW - care coordination
KW - military veterans
KW - person-centered care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85107373747&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/01634372.2021.1932003
DO - 10.1080/01634372.2021.1932003
M3 - Article
C2 - 34053407
AN - SCOPUS:85107373747
SN - 0163-4372
VL - 65
SP - 63
EP - 77
JO - Journal of Gerontological Social Work
JF - Journal of Gerontological Social Work
IS - 1
ER -