Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114878

Patricia Hayes, PhD, RN, Adult Nursing, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70629, Johnson City, TN 37614, (423) 439-4509, hayesp@etsu.edu

This study evaluated the effect of a nurse case management model with frail elderly living in public housing on five health outcomes over a year. The primary aim was to evaluate the extent to which a nurse case management model impacts health outcomes after one year. This experimental design used an across-method triangulated quantitative and qualitative approach to data collection. The experimental component of the study included 50 elderly residents from public housing units who were randomly assigned to an intervention group that received nurse case management model or to a comparison group. Participants in both groups were evaluated prior to implementation of the nurse case management model, and one year following the intervention. Outcomes evaluated included function, use of appropriate formal health care, use of community resources, prevention and health promotion activities, and quality of life. Sandelowski's (2000) qualitative content analysis method used data from interviews with the case manager to address the processes and satisfaction with the case management model. Results describe intra-individual changes in outcomes and differences in outcomes between the two groups. Content analysis describes the model evaluation from the nurse case manager and elderly residents' experiences and perspectives. Results from this study inform public policy regarding need for and effectiveness of nurse case management for the elderly, and provide insights into the ways a nurse case management model impacts health care outcomes and ability to age in place over time from residents' perspectives.

Learning Objectives:

• Compare and contrast frail elderly health care outcomes between an experimental group receiving nurse case managagement services and a control group not receiving case management.
• Understand frail elderlys' perspectives of case management.

Keywords: Case Management, Elderly

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation