Abstract

JIMENEZ RODRIGUEZ, José Manuel; FAJARDO CONTRERAS, Carmen  and  FAROUK ALLAM, Mohamed. Severe level of dependence and use of health services: excessive demand?. Gerokomos [online]. 2014, vol.25, n.4, pp.148-151. ISSN 1134-928X.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1134-928X2014000400004.

Objectives: The objective of our study is to evaluate the magnitude of use of health services by elderly and/or disabled patients with severe level of dependence. Design: Transversal descriptive study. Location: Village of Rute. Province of Cordoba (Spain). Study population and sample: All elderly and/or disabled patients with severe level of dependence living in the village of Rute (Cordoba, Spain), from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. Results: 73 elderly and/or disabled patients with severe level of dependence were included. The average age was of 75.2 (SD19.3, range 12-98) and 61.6% were women. The mean number of Primary Healthcare Centre(PHC)/Home Visits of family doctor, nurse, social worker and case management nurse were 22.4 (SD 24.4)/0.52 (SD 1.6), 8.6 (SD 6.7)/7.9 (SD 21.9), 0.88 (SD 1.4)/1 (SD 1,2) and 0.60 (SD 1.2)/0.1 (SD 0.30) respectively. The average PHC emergency visits was 4.97 (SD 10.9) and hospital emergency visits 1.05(SD 1.8), with an average of 1.99 (SD 3.7) scheduled specialty referrals. Conclusion: Elderly and/or disabled patients with severe level of dependence demand important number of medical and nursing visits. Needs of elderly and/or disabled patients should be considered in all public health policies and plans.

Keywords : Severe level of dependence; health costs; Rute; aging.

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