Navigating the Health Care Landscape for an Ageing Population: An International Survey of Strategies and Priorities

Abstract

Objectives: The global increase in the older population, which is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2050, poses significant challenges for publicly funded health care systems. Life expectancy, although positive, is leading to an increase in chronic diseases requiring complex and costly health and social solutions. This study explores key strategies to address these challenges.

Design: Qualitative interviews followed by a survey.

Setting and participants: The study involved experts, students, artificial intelligence, and participants at a congress.

Methods: We first interviewed 5 experts from different countries representing health care management and psychology from Belgium, health economics from Canada, sociology from France, and geriatrics from Switzerland. In addition, a focus group session with medical students in physical therapy and queries to ChatGPT increased the range of perspectives. A synthesis of all opinions or insights was used to formulate concrete strategies. These strategies were incorporated into an online survey that was distributed to 215 participants of the Geriatric and Gerontologic Congress in Montreal, Canada, in September 2023.

Results: All 20 potential solutions were duly acknowledged, with particular attention paid to the following 5 priorities: the urgent need to integrate geriatric training into the education of future health professionals, the promotion of home-based care models, the establishment of comprehensive and integrated care systems, the strengthening of primary care services, and the emphasis on primary prevention strategies.

Conclusion and implications: This study highlights key priorities for addressing the health needs of the older population. By emphasizing education, home-based care, and integrated services and strengthening primary care and prevention, health systems can respond effectively to the challenges of an ageing population. Although these needs may not be entirely unmet, they indicate areas where existing services are insufficient in providing adequate coverage and support to ensure tailored and sustainable health care solutions for older people.

Keywords: Geriatric training; global aging; home-based care; integrated care systems; prevention.