The impact of geriatric post-discharge services on mental state

Abstract

Objective: to determine the impact of geriatric post-discharge services on mental state. Methods: three computer databases, MEDLINE, HealthSTAR and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for relevant articles; the bibliographies of retrieved articles were searched for additional references. Results: 11 trials were located that met the four inclusion criteria: (i) original study; (ii) published in English or French; (iii) controlled trial (randomized or non-randomized) of a geriatric post-discharge service; and (iv) including at least one measure of mental state. All trials met most of the validity criteria for intervention studies of the Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. Three trials reported a small effect on emotional state or self-perceived health and eight trials reported no effect. Conclusion: there is little evidence that geriatric post-discharge services have an impact on the mental state of aged subjects. Future services and studies should be designed to address the issue of mental state outcomes in this population.