Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40108653›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2025

Geriatric assessment in Belgian nursing homes: qualitative insights.

Julie Merche, Thérèse Van Durme, François-Xavier Sibille, Laetitia Buret, Didier Schoevaerdts, Isabelle De Brauwer, Marie de Saint-Hubert

Abstract read
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Article in BMC health services research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Julie MercheDepartment of Geriatric Medicine, CHU UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium. julie.merche@chuuclnamur.uclouvain.be.
Thérèse Van DurmeUniversité catholique de Louvain, Faculty of Public Health, Institute of Health and Society, Brussels, Belgium.
François-Xavier SibilleDepartment of Geriatric Medicine, CHU UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium.
Laetitia BuretResearch Unit of Primary Care and Health, Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Didier SchoevaerdtsDepartment of Geriatric Medicine, CHU UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium.
Isabelle De BrauwerUniversité catholique de Louvain, Institute of Health and Society, Brussels, Belgium.
Marie de Saint-HubertDepartment of Geriatric Medicine, CHU UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium.

Funding

Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS 40025834
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNursing home residents (NHR) have complex health needs due to their multimorbidity and frailty, challenging interorganisational collaboration, particularly between nursing homes (NH) and hospitals. Coronavirus disease pandemic highlighted the need to strengthen the expertise of NHs care teams. Geriatric mobile teams (GMT) exist in several countries and aim to provide interdisciplinary advice to reinforce the primary care expertise. To develop GMTs in Belgium, we chose a participatory and systemic approach. The aim focuses on identifying areas of partnership between hospitals and NHs based on the geriatric needs of residents, from the perspective of the stakeholders involved in their care. Additionally, it examines the essential requirements for fostering collaboration among these stakeholders.

methodQualitative study using semi-structured interviews of 20 healthcare professionals working in a Belgian academic hospital or within its affiliated NH network. Themes were extracted using thematic analysis, employing simultaneously an inductive approach for the partnership areas and a deductive approach constructed around Karam's framework of interorganizational and interprofessional collaboration.

resultsParticipants highlighted the increasing complexity of NHRs' healthcare needs and the crucial role of geriatric expertise in managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, assessing complex medical situations, and advance care planning. While all supported enhanced collaboration, key challenges included formalizing processes and facilitating care integration between providers. Balancing high-level care with the risk of over-medicalization also remains a critical issue. These findings are reflected in three main themes: empowering nursing homes with geriatric expertise; The high importance of integration and formalisation; and balancing tension between a place of residence and high skilled care.

conclusionThis study provides a comprehensive overview of expected collaboration areas and practical strategies to manage constraints. By using a qualitative approach, we integrated the perspectives of all key stakeholders, ensuring that proposed initiatives align with actual needs. Strengthening collaboration between NHs and geriatric services requires formalized frameworks and co-designed protocols with frontline caregivers. Such an initiative has the potential to dismantle compartmentalized care pathways for NHRs.

Indexed as

Geriatric AssessmentHomes for the AgedNursing HomesAgedBelgiumCOVID-19FemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMalePatient Care TeamQualitative ResearchGeriatric assessmentMobile health unitNursing homeQualitative researchResidential facilities

Identifiers

PMID40108653
PMCPMC11924833

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.