Health care services use (HCSU) is a concept used extensively in the literature but is rarely explicitly defined. Understanding HCSU is essential for effective participation in the managed care arena and for survival of home heath care agencies faced with a prospective payment system. The growing elderly population is placing increasing demands on health care services. The expected demands for HCSU raises questions about what services will be needed, who will deliver the services, how services will be financed, and what models will be needed to put the appropriate services in place to meet the health care needs of the elderly. The Balanced Budget Act 1997 will result in service use changes for the elderly and changes in services provision. Understanding HCSU among the elderly is essential to provide services in the least costly setting, and with the fewest but necessary services that meet health care needs. The antecendents, attributes, related terms, and measurement of HCSU are explored in this paper to gain clarity of the concept's characteristics and meaning. Understanding HCSU has implications for (1) the provision of home health care services to the elderly, (2) inclusion of managed care and HCSU in nursing education, and (3) nursing research.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
Keywords: Health Care Utilization,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.