Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42062914›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2026

Requirements for the scale up of a geriatric aftercare program: a qualitative interview study with stakeholders - findings from the GeRas project.

Catharina Roth, Simone Maier, Leonie Maier, Anna Bülow, Martin Bongartz, Bastian Abel, Patrick Roigk, Kilian Rapp, Janine Peiter, Brigitte Metz and 4 more

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Article in BMC geriatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Catharina Roth *Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. catharina.roth@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
Simone Maier *Geriatric Center, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
Leonie MaierDepartment of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Anna BülowDepartment of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Martin BongartzGeriatric Center, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
Bastian AbelDepartment of Clinical Gerontology, Robert Bosch Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany.
Patrick RoigkDepartment of Clinical Gerontology, Robert Bosch Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany.
Kilian RappDepartment of Clinical Gerontology, Robert Bosch Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany.
Janine PeiterGeriatric Center Karlsruhe, ViDia Christian Clinics Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany.
Brigitte MetzGeriatric Center Karlsruhe, ViDia Christian Clinics Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany.
Gisela BücheleInstitute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
Jürgen M BauerGeriatric Center, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
Petra BenzingerGeriatric Center, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
Michel WensingDepartment of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe increasing demand for geriatric health services, particularly in rehabilitation, has led to significant delays in the delivery of care across many regions of Germany. In response, Germany has introduced several initiatives, including innovative care models such as the telemedicine integrating multimodal, home-based geriatric aftercare programs GeRas that aimed at improving service efficiency and accessibility in geriatric rehabilitation. While such programs may increase geriatric health services capacity further exploration is needed to assess the scalability of such programs. Thus, the objective of this study was to obtain the perspective of key stakeholders (e.g., health services provider) on the requirements for scaling up of geriatric aftercare programs including a telemedicine component.

methodsIn a qualitative interview study, 12 key stakeholders were interviewed to obtain their perspectives on the requirement for such geriatric aftercare programs, as well as their scalability, including the integration of telemedicine, taking the GeRas program as an example. The interview data were analysed using Qualitative Content Analysis according to Kuckartz.

resultsA total of four main themes emerged from the qualitative content analysis. Theme two, including six subthemes, addressed the requirements for scalability of geriatric aftercare programs. Stakeholders emphasized the need to address financial requirements and establish transparent remuneration models for healthcare providers (1). Personnel requirements (2), and structural needs, including cross-sectional collaboration, were also highlighted (3). Additionally, the development and implementation of educational concepts for both providers and participants were discussed (4). Key requirements for a geriatric aftercare program (5) and the role of telemedicine (6) were also considered.

conclusionClear definitions of structural, personnel, and financial requirements, along with interprofessional collaboration, were essential for the scalability and success of geriatric aftercare programs. However, findings show that the scalability of these programs remains complex, yet essential.

trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00029559). Registered 5/10/2022.

Indexed as

AftercareHealth Services for the AgedStakeholder ParticipationAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCaregiversCommunity NetworksFemaleGermanyHome Care ServicesHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedPatient DischargeE-healthGeriatric rehabilitationPost in-house rehabilitation interventionTelemedicineTransitional care

Identifiers

PMID42062914
PMCPMC13130819

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.