MedicalResearch.com Interview Invitation
Mary W. Carter, Ph.D.
Gerontology Program Director
Towson University
Towson, MD 21252-0001
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Carter: Nearly 1 in 5 older adults experienced at least one severe medical injury during the five-year study period, and more than half of these occurred in an ambulatory care setting (i.e., not in the hospital). Older adults that were in poorer health and who had greater levels of disability had the greatest risk. Mortality rates were nearly twice as high among older adults experiencing a medical injury in comparison with otherwise similar older adults not experiencing a medical injury. Among survivors, the impact of medical injury was observed for extended periods of time, reflecting increased medical use and costs associated with medical injury.