Strategies to Enhance Access and Utilization of Health Services by Older Population: A Comprehensive Scoping Review

Abstract

Objective. Improving access to and utilization of healthcare services are necessary factors for improving the overall health of the ageing population. Accordingly, strategies to improve the access to health services should be considered. The aim of this review study was to identify, categorize, and synthesize the interventions suggested to improve access and utilization of health services by the ageing population. Methods. This scoping review was conducted based on the framework established by Arksey and O’Malley. To find relevant studies, searches were conducted in various databases such as Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Science Direct, and ProQuest, using appropriate keywords ranging from 2000 to 2022. The authors independently screened search results, extracted the data, and synthesized the data from the included studies. A framework analysis identified key interventions based on the framework established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2000. Results. Of the 8286 initially retrieved studies, only 79 were eligible for the final inclusion as they met the selection criteria. Results showed out of the 22 countries who have utilized some strategies the United States have implemented the most interventions (27 studies) , with service delivery enhancement being the most commonly area of action(23 items), followed by improvement in financing, stewardship, and creating recourse (12, 11, and 11 items, respectively) functions of health services. Conclusion. This scoping review compiled a range of interventions aimed at enhancing older adults’ access to and utilization of health services. While most of these interventions have been implemented in high-income countries, other nations can adapt their effective approaches to their unique contexts.