The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57092

Judith Statsinger, MPH, Partners in Care Program, Council for Jewish Elderly, 3003 W. Touhy Avenue, Chicago, IL 60645, 773 381-6010, judy.statsinger@cje.net

Partners in Care: Replication and Research Evaluation is a multi-site, naturalistic, study evaluating the psychosocial health outcomes and health services utilization of adults, 65 years and older, who have had either regular care plus social work services or just regular care through their primary care providers over the course of a year. Since June 2000, approximately 2,150 adult patients, from 11 sites throughout Illinois, have consented to a series of 45-minute screening psychosocial interviews. In the seven treatment sites, patients screening positive for problems with depression, sleep , medication management, frequent falls, and cognitive problems are signaled for social work interventions. At the four control sites, there are no social workers. At all eleven sites, primary care physicians are notified when a participant screens positively as a “signal case.” Key project evaluation measures include:1) Change in patient screening scores, 2)hospitalizations, 3) ER vists, 4) change in physician charting/ documentation, and 5)physician satisfaction with the social work service. A detailed description of outcomes to date as well as the key differences in site, patient populations and social work services will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session participants will be able to:
• Name 4 important behavioral health risks that can be screened for.
• Recognize a primary care site that would be able to benefit from primary care social work model.
• Be prepared to work with the barriers to care working with the older adult population and family caregivers.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.