Tailored emergency care for elderly with an acute health problem

One-third of all patients in emergency care are over 65 years of age. Older people often have multiple and complex health problems, which results in atypical presentation. Therefore, it is challenging to identify acute care needs during the initial assessment and start appropriate treatment that matches the personal situation of the elderly patient

This PhD research project aims to develop an anamnesis instrument to help healthcare professionals quickly and effectively map the acute care needs of older patients and their context during initial assessment within the emergency care setting (ambulance and emergency care).

• Insight into healthcare professionals’ experiences of barriers and challenges in delivering emergency care to older patients with a frail health condition, especially during initial assessment.
• A review of all anamnesis instruments for older patients within healthcare.
• An anamnesis instrument specifically for older patients to quickly and purposefully identify acute care needs and the context of the patient during initial assessment within the emergency care setting.

01 December 2023 - 30 November 2027

By applying qualitative research methods and a review, we gain insight into the nature and scope of the problem. The instrument is then developed systematically in collaboration with the end users and tested for feasibility.

Dorien Venema
- PhD candidate
- Research group: Proactive care for older people living at home
Wietske Blom-Ham
- Professor
- Research group: Proactive care for older people living at home