The Importance of IDTs in Providing Quality Geriatric Care

Regardless of the care setting, the complex medical problems of older adults often require the expertise of multiple health professionals, and care coordination among the entire team of health professionals, direct-care workers, and family and other caregivers. When healthcare providers work independently, care can be unduly fragmented and fail to address the older person’s overall needs. For example, an individual’s multiple medical problems might be properly diagnosed, with appropriate treatments chosen, but the individual might also have cognitive and psychological problems that impede his or her understanding of those treatments, be unable to ambulate and perform activities of daily living, or lack the proper physical environment and adequate social support to live successfully at home. In an IDT, all of these needs can be addressed proactively and simultaneously, with providers working together to accomplish common goals and produce a well-conceived, comprehensive care plan.

Geriatrics training, care delivery models, and healthcare professionals’ roles are evolving in response to changes in healthcare financing and delivery. In this environment, a flexible approach to geriatric IDTs may be required, based on each individual’s medical problems and needs. Some teams may involve only those disciplines specific to a particular task, with larger teams reserved for the most complex, frail older adults.