The art and science of targeting geriatrics programs

Abstract

“Targeting” in geriatrics is the selection from a wider screened group of frail elderly patients for specific geriatrics programs designed to meet their particular multidimensional health needs. Targeting has been advocated as a means of improving the overall cost-effectiveness of health services for elderly people, both through improvement of the measurable health outcomes in patients served, and limiting futile/inappropriate care (both in patients admitted, and in others by virtue of their exclusion) which adds cost but does not improve health or quality of life. While research supports targeting for improving health outcomes, work to improve targeting practices and criteria is somewhat underdeveloped. These issues are discussed in reference to the contribution of Karppi and Tilvis (1) and other current literature.