Table 1 Summary of results

Chow and Wong, (2014) [53]

Hong Kong

N = 312

IG

HVG:

(n = 87)

PCG:

(n = 96)

CG (n = 98)

Average age (years): 76.5

80.4% with 2 chronic conditions

♀: 52.5%

IG (2 arms):

Pre-discharge assessment + 

in HVG:

2 HV (week 1 and 3) + 2 phone calls (week 2 and 4)

in PCG:

4 phone calls

CG: routine care + 

2 placebo calls (social – 5 min)

HVG:

1st visit: CMN + NS (week 1, 72 h post-discharge)

1st call: CMN (week 2)

2nd visit: NS (week 3)

2nd call: CMN (week 4)

PCG:

1st: CMN

2nd: NS

3rd: NS

4th: CMN

Nº visits: 2 every 15 days in HVG

Duration:

Not recorded

4 weeks

Follow-up:

12 weeks post-discharge (8 weeks post-intervention)

Primary results:

Re-admission rate (administrative records)

Secondary results:

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) (SF-36). Physical functioning (PF) and psychological functioning (PSYF)

Self-efficacy Chronic conditions (Chinese version)

Self-assessed health

Primary results:

Re-admission rate:

At 4 weeks: no significant differences

At 12 weeks: HVG = 33%, PCG = 28.3%, CG = 45.4%

IG vs. CG (× 2 = 8.03; p = 0.018); PCG vs. CG (× 2 = 7.25; p = 0.007)

Secondary results:

Quality of life (HRQoL):

Physical component:

HVG vs. PCG vs. CG at 3 time points [F(2, 277) = 4.31; p = 0.014]; PCG vs. CG [F(2, 277) = 4.31; p = 0.016]

At 4 and 12 weeks: PCG vs. CG in: physical functioning ([F = 7.35; p = 0.006]; [F = 19.8; p < 0.001]); physical role ([F = 4.70; p = 0.015]; [F = 11.2; p < 0.001]); vitality ([F=6.62; p < 0.001]; [F = 8.05; p < 0.001]); mental health ([F = 7.08; p < 0.001]; [F = 4.29; p < 0.033]); difference at 4 weeks: HVG vs PCG in: physical functioning [F = 7.35; p<0.001]; vitality [F = 6.62; p < 0.040]; social functioning [F = 3.70; p = 0.032]

At 12 weeks: HVG vs CG in: physical role [F = 11.2; p < 0.001]; emotional role [F = 4.08; p < 0.013]; mental health [F = 4.29; p=0.040]

Self-efficacy:

Within-group effects over time: HVG [F(2, 172)=606; p = 0.002], PCG [F(18, 171)=843; p < 0.001]

At 4 and 12 weeks: PCG vs. CG ([F = 5.1; p = 0.005]; [F = 5.39; p = 0.031])

At 12 weeks: HVG vs. CG [F = 5.39; p = 0.007]

Self-assessed health:

After 4 and 12 weeks: PCG vs. CG ([F = 19.3; p<0.001]; [F = 8.67; p<0.001])

Wang et al. (2013) [54]

Taiwan

N = 62

IG (n = 30)

CG (n = 32)

Average age (years): 71.3

 ≥ 2 chronic conditions

♀: 55%

IG: Visit to Primary care + 3 HV (medication safety training)

 + calls (reinforce medication adherence in 2 months)

 + Visit to Primary Care

CG: Routine care

11 volunteers (with training certificate for health care volunteers)

Nº visits: 3 HV in weeks 2, 5 and 8

Duration:

1st visit: 2 h aprox

2nd y 3rd visit: 1 h aprox

Call: 20–30 min

2 months (10 weeks)

Follow-up: not recorded

Questionnaire KAB-MS: Medication safety knowledge, attitudes and behaviours

Knowledge: IG vs. CG (p=0.012); and within-group IG (p < 0.001)

Attitudes: IG vs. CG no significant differences

Behaviours: IG vs. CG: significant differences in 3 safety behaviours:

- When they receive prescription (p = 0.013)

- Before taking them (p = 0.003)

- Surplus care (p = 0.025)

Fisher et al. (2020) [55]

Ontario, Canada

N=32

IG (n = 16)

CG (n = 16)

ITT

N = 59

IG (n = 30)

CG (n = 29)

Average age: not recorded

 ≥ 3 chronic conditions

(x̄ 8.6 IG, 8.7 CG)

♀:49%

IG:

HV by interprofessional groups + monthly conferences (in collaboration with patient and carer/family member)

 + Care management

 + Routine care

IG: Routine home care (without interprofessional team)

Interdisciplinary team.: CC, NUR, PT, OT y PSW

Nº visits: min. 1 of PSW, min 1 of CC and min. 3 of PT o OT*

*according to patients, possible substitution. 1 CC for a PT or 2 NUR

min 5-max 16

6 months

Follow-up: not recorded

Primary results: Quality of life (HRQoL) (PF SF-12)

Secondary results:

Mental functioning (PSYF SF-12)

Depressive symptoms (CESD-10)

Anxiety (GAD-7)

Self-efficacy (Chronic conditions)

Use of medical care (cost) (HSSUI)

Primary results:

HRQoL: IG vs CG in general health [Mean difference = 8.72 (95% CI =2.3–15.14); p = 0.01]

Secondary results: no significant differences in mental functioning, depressive symptoms, anxiety or self-efficacy

Use of medical care:

Hospitalization: within-group IG ( p =0.01)

Visits to emergency services: within-group CG (p = 0.02)

Costs: in home care. In favour of CG (z=-3.00; p = 0.003)

Markle-Reid et al

(2021) [56]

Ontario, Canada

N = 99

IG (n = 47)

CG (n = 52)

ITT

N = 127

IG (n = 63)

CG (n = 64)

Average age: 77 years

90% ≥ 6 chronic conditions. (x̄ de 8)

♀:63%

IG:

- HV (max. 6, min. 2) + calls + accompaniment by Healthcare System

CG:

Routine home care

NUR (care transition coordinator)

Nº visits: max. 6, min. 2*

(Average of 3)

Duration: each visit 1 h approx

*45 received at least 1 h

6 months

Follow-up:

At 12 months (6 months after ending intervention)

Primary results: Mental functioning (PSYF VR-12)

Secondary results:

Physical functioning (PF VR-12)

Depressive symptoms (CESD-10)

Anxiety (GAD-7)

Perceived social support

Patient experience (CCCQ e IC-PREM)

Self-efficacy

(Chronic conditions)

Use of medical care (costs) (HSSUI)

Primary results: no significant differences

Secondary results:

no significant differences in physical functioning, depressive symptoms, anxiety or perceived social support

Patient experience: IG vs CG in received information (× 2 = 4.88; p = 0.03)

Use of medical care: in home care. In favour of CG (z=7.14; p < 0.001)