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Understanding factors that improve patients’ healthcare experiences are essential for healthcare providers (HCPs) caring for older adults (OAs). Previous data supports that effective patient-centered care leads to a better understanding of patients’ experiences, values, and preferences. The aim of this study was to evaluate OAs views of HCPs attributes and communication skills to better understand patient's views about their HCP interactions. Qualitative analysis of the data revealed five key themes that emerged: professionalism, patient rapport, patient-centered care, empathy, and communication. Addressing and optimizing performance in these areas could improve patient experiences and support enhanced training for healthcare students.

Milledgeville (Ga.) State Hospital INTRODUCTIONThere is a conspicuous phenoinerion in state mental hospitals relating to fluctuations of admission rates. These seem to occur with almost predictable regularit,y and have been attributed to changing economic, social, and climatic conditions.Chambers' (2 ) study dealt exclusively wit,h seasonal variations in neuro-psychiatric admissions t80 a military hospital, which were highest in March. H a~c k '~) compared monthly admission rates in four state hospitals for three years, with highest admission rate in January. Hauck and A r m~t r o n g '~) exanlined admission rates to a state hospital over a 37 year period, the data categorized by sexes. The 1nont.h of highest'admissions was June. Abe based his study on seasonal variations in admission, presenting data not only from his own country but from European, African, and American cities. The highest admission rates were in the summer months. Hauck ( 3 ) and Hauck and A r m~t r o n g '~) attributed fluctuations in adiiiission rates to socio-economic factors while Chambers o ) and Abe o ) hypothesized climatic variables.This study undertakes to verify statist.ically in a large Southern state mental hospital that admission rates are correlated with higher temperatures and are not just, the result. of socio-economic fact'ors.'