Conducting a Needs Assessment to Inform Age-Friendly Health Systems Initiatives for University of Utah Health

Life expectancy has continued to grow throughout human history, and today people live longer and more productive lives than ever. The number of adults aged 65 and older increased by 33% over the past ten years and is projected to nearly double 98 million by 2060 to 24% of the U.S. population (Administration on Aging & Administration for Community Living, 2018). Increased life expectancy, coupled with the exponential growth of the older adult population over the next 25 years, will create extraordinary demands on healthcare professionals in the United States to competently meet the complex care needs of older adults living with chronic conditions.; Chronic conditions in older adults can lead to complex care and increase the need for frequency and usage of healthcare systems (Axon & Kamel, 2021). Addressing the clinical needs of older adult patients has become more complex and expensive, and the systems currently in place are insufficient to serve the aging population's health needs (Fulmer et al., 2022). Therefore, evidence-based care models are needed to meet the growing older adult population's demands and provide high-quality, economical care. Developed in 2016, the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative provides specific evidenced-based geriatric best-practice interventions to all older adults in a health system setting (Fulmer et al., 2022). An Age-Friendly Health System is one in which every older adult's care is guided by an essential set of evidence-based practices known as the 4Ms framework, which consists of four essential evidence-based practices: What Matters, Medications, Mentation, and Mobility (Institute for Healthcare Improvement, 2022). This project developed and delivered a Needs Assessment to providers practicing in the U Health Ambulatory Care Clinics to identify baseline knowledge, gaps in knowledge, and current practices related to the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms Framework. The results from the Needs Assessment were used to guide University of Utah Health's (U Health) Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative. The Needs Assessment consists of a two-step process using online surveys and semi-structured interviews. An online survey was completed by 18 providers and 7 medical directors, and interviews were conducted with the 7 medical directors that completed the survey. Significant findings were that: 1) U Health ambulatory care clinic providers have very little to no baseline knowledge of the Age-Friendly Health Systems 4Ms Framework, 2) U Health ambulatory care providers are already providing care that aligns with the 4Ms framework, 3) There are barriers and challenges to providing Age-Friendly care. The findings will be used to guide University of Utah Health's (U Health) Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative