Older person health assessments in general practice.

Given the Australian Government spent over $135 million on older person health assessments in 2019 alone, it is important that the value of the 75+HA is well researched and monitored. There are clear implications regarding the need to improve health outcomes as a result of these health assessments, however the research on this is scarce. Investigation of the longer-term outcomes to patients, including morbidity and mortality are needed. The current uptake of Health Assessments by older Australians is less than 40%, therefore greater current research into the patient perspective would assist in greater targeting to promote these within the clinical setting. The aims of the proposed study: 1. What has the impact been to the uptake of older person health assessments due to COVID? 2. Is there a difference in uptake of older person health assessments and chronic disease management plans in older Australians? 3. How does the Australian older person Health Assessments compare to International equivalents? 4. What are the patient’s perspectives on older person health assessments and are there differences in perceptions between those who have refused to complete them, those who have only completed one and those who regularly complete older person health assessments? This project will in part use secondary data (aim 1 & 2), literature review (aim 3), as well as, interviews focussing on patient views (aim 4). Interviews could be conducted via Zoom or telephone. This project could be completed by up to four Honours students, with one focussing on each of the aims. The location for this project could be flexible for the year.