Geriatric Models of Surgical Care: A Scoping Review.
Sarah Hughes, Ut Bui, Clint Douglas and 1 others
PMID 41623248WHAT IT FOUND
Most models shortened hospital stays, but mortality results were inconsistent.
Nurse practitioners performed comprehensive geriatric assessments and coordinated care in 38% of studies. Allied health input appeared in 58% of models, yet functional outcomes and quality of life were rarely measured.
Key findings
01Most studies observed a reduction in length of stay, while mortality outcomes were inconsistent with no strong evidence of benefit.
02Advanced practice nurse or specialist gerontological nurse roles were identified in 38% of studies, with comprehensive geriatric assessments as a core responsibility.
03Allied health roles including physiotherapists and occupational therapists were described in 58% of studies, focusing on mobility, nutrition and discharge planning.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The search was restricted to English-language publications from 2015 to 2025, which may exclude relevant models described in other languages or older literature. The included studies were overwhelmingly observational cohorts and before-and-after designs, with only 9 randomised trials, so the review maps what was done rather than proving which components cause better outcomes. Definitions of surgical complications varied across studies, making it difficult to compare rates of specific events like delirium or pressure injuries. Functional outcomes and quality of life were rarely measured, so the review cannot tell you whether patients actually felt better or regained independence, only whether they left hospital sooner. The review excluded grey literature and service descriptions, which may miss models that have not yet been formally evaluated in peer-reviewed studies.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest or funding sources are stated in the supplied text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the reduction in length of stay as proof that geriatric models improve function or quality of life. Functional outcomes were inconsistently reported across only 11 studies, and most included papers were observational cohorts or before-and-after comparisons rather than randomised trials.