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Trends in the Utilization of Health Services by Seniors in Alberta*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

L. Duncan Saunders ,
Arif Alibhai ,
David B. Hogan ,
Colleen J. Maxwell ,
Hude Quan  and
David Johnson
L. Duncan Saunders
Affiliation:
University of Alberta The Alberta Centre for Health Services Utilization Research
Arif Alibhai
Affiliation:
University of Alberta The Alberta Centre for Health Services Utilization Research
David B. Hogan
Affiliation:
The Alberta Centre for Health Services Utilization Research University of Calgary
Colleen J. Maxwell
Affiliation:
The Alberta Centre for Health Services Utilization Research University of Calgary
Hude Quan
Affiliation:
The Alberta Centre for Health Services Utilization Research University of Calgary
David Johnson
Affiliation:
The Alberta Centre for Health Services Utilization Research University of Saskatchewan.
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Abstract

Ensuring the delivery of comprehensive, high quality programs and services to seniors in Canada over the coming decades presents a significant challenge to policy makers and health care professionals. The goal of this study was to provide decision-makers with data on recent trends in the utilization of health services by seniors in Alberta. We compared recent trends in the utilization of acute hospital services (1992/93–1997/98), home care services (1994/95–1997/98), claims for physician consultations and procedures (1995/96–1997/98) and long-term facility care (1990–1996) for Albertans less than and over 65 years of age. We also assessed trends in the use of prescription drugs (1992/93–1997–98) by Albertans 65 years and older. Data for these analyses were obtained from Alberta Health and Wellness administrative databases and reports. Overall, the trends indicate fewer, though sicker, patients being cared for in institutions and more patients being cared for in the community. The receipt of prescription drugs obtained outside of facilities has also increased among seniors in recent years. The extent and appropriateness of substitution of community care for institutional care, the quality of that care, and whether health outcomes are better, worse, or unchanged, are important subjects for further study.

Résumé

La prestation de services et de programmes exhaustifs et de qualité pour les aîné(e)s canadien(ne)s au cours des prochaines décennies représente un défi de taille pour les responsables des politiques et les professionnels des soins de santé. La présente étude visait à fournir aux décideurs des données actuelles sur l'utilisation des services de santé par les aîné(e)s en Alberta. Nous avons comparé les tendances en utilisation de services hospitaliers actifs (1992/93–1997/98), des services de soins à domicile (1994/95–1997/98), des demandes de règlement de consultations et de soins de médecins (1995/96–1997/98) et, des établissements de soins à long terme (1990–1996) pour les albertains de moins et de plus de 65 ans. Nous avons également évalué les tendances dans l'utilisation des médicaments presents (1992/93–1997/98) chez les albertains de 65 ans et plus. Les données des analyses proviennent des bases de données et des rapports du Alberta Health and Wellness. Dans l'ensemble, les tendances indiquent qu'un moins grand nombre de patients sont soignés en établissement mais qu'ils sont plus malades; aussi, un nombre plus important de patients est soigné dans la communauté. Les reçus de médicaments prescrits remis en dehors des établissements ont augmenté chez les aîné(e)s dans les dernières années. La portée et la pertinence de la substitution des soins en établissement par les soins dans la communauté, la qualité de ses soins et leurs répercussions sur l'amélioration, la détérioration ou le maintien de la santé constituent des thèmes importants d'études ultérieures.

Keywords

Health Services ResearchUtilizationSeniorsAlberta.Recherche sur les services de santéutilisationaîné(e)sAlberta.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 20 , Issue 4 , Hiver/Winter 2001 , pp. 493 - 516
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2001

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