Using the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment technique to assess elderly patients

JKH Luk, KH Or, J Woo
Medical and Geriatrics Unit, Shatin Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong

OBJECTIVE. To review the concept, components, and characteristics of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment technique.

DATA SOURCES. Medline and non-Medline literature search.

STUDY SELECTION. The following key words were used: Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment; all available years of study were reviewed.

DATA EXTRACTION. Studies that assessed the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment technique's benefits were examined.

DATA SYNTHESIS. By using the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment programme, accurate diagnoses can be made, treatable illness can be screened for, therapeutic plans can be formulated, and the optimal placements of patients can be achieved. Assessment should be performed at each level of geriatric care; various well-validated scales are used to measure the activity of daily living of patients. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment programme can improve functional status; reduce the use of medications, nursing homes, and medical services; and reduce mortality rates. Most studies confirm that a successful programme requires careful patient targeting, implementation of the programme by attending physicians, and patient adherence to the recommendations made.

CONCLUSIONS. A well-targeted Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment programme and the control of patients' adherence to recommendations are effective in improving the well-being of elderly patients.

Hong Kong Med J 2000;6:93-8

Key words: Geriatric assessment; Geriatrics/organization & administration; Length of stay/economics; Outcome assessment (health care); Program evaluation