Patient Perspectives of Early Interventions for Healthy Ageing in General Practice: A Qualitative Study

Objective: As the population ages more people are experiencing chronic conditions, placing substantial burden on the healthcare system. General practice plays a crucial role in managing chronic health conditions and early interventions to support healthy ageing. This study explored patients' perceptions of early intervention initiatives to support healthy ageing in Australian general practice settings.

Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with general practice patients aged 40 years and older living with chronic conditions, in Adelaide, South Australia. Interview data were analysed using inductive content analysis. 

Results: Twenty participants from eight general practices were interviewed. Three themes were developed: (1) General practice consultations enable management planning but show gaps in ageing-related support; (2) Management plans promote early problem identification, reinforce self-management and foster positive healthcare relationships; and (3) Addressing gaps in management plans requires improved access, affordability and more comprehensive support. 

Conclusions: Patients perceive their general practice enables care and management of chronic conditions for healthy ageing. There is a need for proactive healthy ageing interventions including increased uptake of chronic disease management Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS) items into routine general practice care. Primary care policies should address multidisciplinary team-based care to facilitate optimal comprehensive care for healthy ageing. Further exploration and strategies to address barriers to proactive, comprehensive care for chronic conditions earlier in the ageing trajectory are needed.