A modified Delphi and cross-sectional survey to facilitate selection of optimal outcomes and measures for a systematic review on geriatrician-led care models.

OBJECTIVE: To identify relevant outcomes and measures to inform a systematic review (SR) on the comparative effectiveness of geriatrician-led care models.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: In the modified Delphi to select outcomes for inclusion in the SR, knowledge users (KU) from Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan rated outcome importance using a Likert scale. A survey was then completed by geriatricians to determine optimal measures for selected outcomes. Findings were analyzed using frequencies, means, and standard deviations (SD).

RESULTS: 33 KUs (patients, caregivers, policy makers and geriatricians) rated 27 outcomes in round 1 of the modified Delphi. Top-rated outcomes included: function (mean 6.85 ± SD 0.36), cognition (6.47± SD 0.72), and quality of life (6.38± SD 0.91). 23 KUs participated in round 2 and rated 24 outcomes. Top-rated outcomes in round 2 were: function (6.87± SD 0.34), quality of life (6.45± SD 1.10) and cognition (6.43± SD 0.73). The survey was completed by 22 geriatricians and the highest ranked measures were: Activities of Daily Living (function), Mini Mental State Exam (cognition) and the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 (quality of life).

CONCLUSION: We identified the most relevant outcomes and measures for patients, caregivers, policymakers and geriatricians, allowing us to tailor the SR to KU needs.