PROPOSAL OF A SET OF INDICATORS FOR PLANNING AND MANAGING ELDERLY CARE SERVICES IN TURKEY: A DELPHI-BASED CONSENSUS STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: For health administrators and policymakers in Turkey, there is great significance to be found in the measurement and analysis of the current situation. This research seeks to set indicators for a comprehensive plan, and it aims to forecast what steps the Turkish health system will need to take in regards to elderly care. Materials and Method: This study adopted the Delphi method, a forecasting method that relies on the consensus of a panel of experts concerning a topic of interest. The research was conducted between August 1 and September 31, 2020. Data were collected using a set of indicators in the form of a questionnaire. The participants answered the questionnaire in all three rounds, and an interquartile range of less than 1.2 indicated a consensus on a given indicator. Results: A consensus was reached by the experts, detailing that the set of indicators should consist of 78 items regarding the elderly population and their welfare status (15 items), elderly care institutions (six items), admission to elderly care (four items), elderly care recipients (three items), home care (12 items), caregivers (one item), healthcare expenditures (11 items), and health status (27 items). Conclusion: Feasible and reliable indicators can assist in the planning and managing of elderly care services and their incorporation into health and social services. This study presented 78 fundamental indicators concerning elderly healthcare services in Turkey. It is recommended that public institutions use information systems to collect and publish data annually through the aforementioned indicators.