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Health Outcomes among the Frail Elderly in Communities and Institutions: Use of The Minimum Data Set (MDS) to Create Effective Linkages between Research and Policy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 November 2023

John P. Hirdes  and
G. Iain Carpenter
John P. Hirdes*
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo and Providence Centre
G. Iain Carpenter
Affiliation:
University of Kent at Canterbury
*
Requests for reprints should be sent to:/Les demandes de reproduction doivent être adressées à: John P. Hirdes, Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
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Abstract

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Researchers and policy-makers interested in the needs of the frail elderly in community and institutional settings have had limited success in forming policy based on empirical evidence. The reasons for this have included a variety of organizational and political considerations (e.g., lack of effective communication mechanisms), conceptual and methodological issues (e.g., problems with reliability and validity of existing data sources) and limitations in knowledge (e.g., lack of longitudinal data across health care sectors). The Minimum Data Set (MDS) series of instruments may prove useful in dealing with these difficulties. The MDS instruments have multiple uses for different audiences (e.g., care provision, funding and quality improvement). Extensive international testing has shown the MDS to be valid and reliable, and translations are available in 11 different languages. As implementation of the MDS begins in Canada, a number of new concerns will need to be addressed (e.g., confidentiality and access to data).

Résumé

Résumé

Les chercheurs et les décideurs qui s'intéressent aux besoins des aînés fragiles vivant dans leur foyer ou en établissement ont obtenu des résultats limités en fondant leur politique sur des données empiriques. Cette situation résulte de multiples considerations d'ordre organisationnel et politique (manque de mécanismes de communication efficaces), de problèmes méthodologiques et conceptuels (difficultés quant à la fiabilite et la validité des sources de données actuelles) et de limites de connaissance (manque de données longitudinales du secteur des soins de santé). Le Minimum Data Set (MDS) pourrait se révéler utile pour pallier à ces difficultés. Les instruments qui le composent presentent des usages multiples appropriés aux différents destinataires (fournitures des soins, financement et amélioration de la qualité). Des experiences répetées à l'échelle internationale ont démontré que le MDS est valide et fiable et il est traduit en 11 langues. Comme on commence à l'utiliser au Canada, il soulève d'autres preoccupations qu'il faudra voir à régler (confidentiality, accès aux donnees).

Keywords

Comprehensive Geriatric AssessmentInternational ComparisonsEvaluationÉvaluation gériatrique complétecomparaisons internationalesévaluation
Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 16 , Issue S1: Bridging Policy and Research on Aging/Tisser des liens entre les politiques et la recherche relative au vieillissement , Spring Printemps 1997 , pp. 53 - 69
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1997

Footnotes

*

The authors are grateful to Jean Kozak, Steve LaBine, and Lou Reidel for their helpful comments.

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