Margolis, Stephen Andrew, Carter, Tom, Dunn, Earl V., and Reed , Richard Lewis (2003) Primary health care services for the aged in the United Arab Emirates: A comparison of two models of care. Asia Pacific Family Medicine, 2 (2). pp. 77-82.

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Abstract

Aim: To compare the quality of aged care provided by two different models of primary health care services in the United Arab Emirates.

Methods: Cross sectional survey by chart review of 200 consecutive people aged 65 years and over attending two primary health care centers located in adjacent suburbs and serving populations with similar characteristics; a resource intensive center (RIC) and the other a resource thrifty center (RTC). Quality indicators were blood pressure levels in hypertensives and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in diabetics.

Results: There was no variation in age, sex or number of visits per year between the clinics. Osteoarthritis, hypertension, and diabetes were the most common diagnoses at both. The people attending the RIC had a substantially higher level of comorbidity (RIC=1.19±1.18, RTC=0.63 ± 0.68, p < 0.001), the average systolic and diastolic blood pressure for those diagnosed with hypertension was in the normal range at the RIC (138.5 ± 19.8/77.1 ± 9.9), whereas it was significantly higher and in the elevated range at the RTC (149.5 ± 17.7/85.2 ± 9.1, p < 0.001) and the HbA1c was significantly lower at the RIC (7.7 ± 1.4) than at the RTC (9.5 ± 2.0, p < 0.001). Conclusions:The quality of health outcomes for the two chronic diseases, hypertension and diabetes, appeared significantly higher at the RIC, when compared with the RTC. However, there may have been significant selection bias. Further studies are needed to determine if the RIC improves quality measures in other aspects of chronic disease care and provides a more cost effective health care service.

Item ID:	9293
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1447-056X
Keywords:	clinical outcomes; developing country; models of care; primary care; quality of care
Date Deposited:	30 Apr 2010 03:52
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111717 Primary Health Care @ 50% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111702 Aged Health Care @ 50%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) > 920502 Health Related to Ageing @ 100%
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