Optimizing strategies to improve interprofessional practice for veterans part 1

摘要

IntroductionInterprofessional patient care is a well-recognized path that health care systems are striving toward. The Veteran’s Affairs (VA) system initiated interprofessional practice (IPP) models with their Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) programs. GEM programs incorporate a range of specialties, including but not limited to, medicine, nursing, social work, physical therapy and pharmacy, to collaboratively evaluate veterans. Despite being a valuable resource, they are now faced with significant cut-backs, including closures. The primary goal of this project was to assess how the GEM model could be optimized at the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania VA to allow for the sustainability of this important IPP assessment. Part 1 of the study evaluated the IPP process using program, patient, and family surveys. Part 2 examined how well the geriatrician matched patients to specialists in the GEM model. This paper describes Part 1 of our study.