Who are the main medical care providers of European nursing home residents? An EuGMS survey.

Introduction: Nursing home residents are complex, vulnerable and have been historically neglected. The EuGMS is committed to improving their care, and is currently developing a curriculum of core competencies. Integral to these efforts is identifying the physicians, for whom, education in these competencies needs to be directed.

Method: A survey was distributed to European national geriatrics societies, asking members their perceptions of proportions of nursing home medical care delivered by various physician specialties, and the main functions carried out in nursing homes.

Results: Responses were received from 22 of 32 national geriatrics societies. The vast majority of care (estimated at 69%), is delivered by general practitioners, rather than geriatricians or specialist nursing home physicians. Nursing homes have acquired important roles in rehabilitation, respite and palliative care.

Conclusion: Education and training to achieve the highest standards of care must be designed for general practitioners who do not have specialist training. Education and infrastructure must be developed for the evolving roles of nursing homes.