PPCO

Dr. Kevin Brazil

Preventive Primary Care Outreach for High Risk Older Persons

This is a randomized controlled study evaluating the impact of a Preventive Primary Care Outreach (PPCO) intervention compared to usual care for seniors aged 75 years and over who are at risk of functional decline.  In this study, PPCO is provided by nurses working collaboratively with family physicians and other primary health care professionals.  PPCO was examined in the context of the new model of primary health care, represented by Primary Care Networks (PCN) and Family Health Networks (FHN), that is being encouraged and supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.  The PPCO intervention was provided to clients of family physicians who are members of PCSs and FHNs. 

The impact of the PPCO intervention compared to usual care of participants’: 

1. health-related quality of life,
2. use of health and social services and associated costs,
3. functional status,
4. mortality rate,
5. rate of institutionalization, and
6. self-rated health was evaluated. 

As well the study  assessed the participant’s satisfaction with the PPCO program.