A framework for elderly participation in Primary Health Care in Tabriz Health complexes

BACKGROUND: A framework for increasing elderly participation in Primary Health Care (PHC) is a vital issue considering the growing population. After examining the situation and elderly participation in the provision of PHC in the health complexes of Tabriz City, the present study presents the framework of elderly participation in PHC. METHODS: This is a mixed-method study. First, we reviewed the models of elderly participation in PHC worldwide using a comprehensive search of literature. Then, we extracted the service providers’ and the elderly's views regarding the obstacles and solutions for the elderly participation in PHC in Iran using the interviews and focus group discussions (FGD). We conducted three FGDs (8–10 people) and seven individual interviews. Data were analyzed using the content analysis method. We developed the proposed framework for the participation of the elderly in PHC using a panel of experts and checked and confirmed the framework's validity using the Delphi technique with 11 experts from the content validity index and modified kappa coefficient. RESULTS: Based on the result of included studies in the systematic review, the characteristics of the participation models were classified into five areas: the characteristics of the service user, the main facilitator of the intervention, the type of ownership of the center, the subject and the method of participation. The solutions and obstacles, and problems presented by the service providers and users in different areas include 12 themes (elderly participation, home care, and self-care, respect for the elderly, cooperation of different organizations, service package for the elderly, referral system, planning for the elderly, considering insurance for the elderly, the role of informing the elderly, mental health of the elderly, physical space of centers and training of elderly caregivers) and 46 sub-themes. The final framework also includes five themes (approaches and strategies to attract participation, indicators, and consequences of participation of the elderly, implementation strategies of elderly care, implementation infrastructure and goals and areas of participation of the elderly) and sub-themes. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that the final framework obtained should be used based on a systematic model for elderly participation in PHC and should be implemented and followed up based on local strategies and specific indicators, considering all capacities.