Use of comprehensive geriatric assessment in general practice: Results from the ‘Senta Pua’ project in Brazil

Abstract

Background: General practitioners (GPs) are responsible for most of elderly consultations in Brazil. Being aware of the needs of older adults is important for these professionals. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is an important tool for assessing the elderly. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate (a) whether a CGA can identify previously unknown health problems, and (b) whether a CGA is accepted by elderly patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study by inviting all outpatients of the Sao Paulo Air Force Hospital aged 60 years and older to participate. Consenting patients were examined using a CGA. Health problems revealed by the assessment were compared to those previously known from the patients' charts. Patients' acceptability of the CGA was evaluated by a short questionnaire. Results: 170 patients were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 75.7 years (SD: 8.0 years), 65.8% was female. On average, patients had 3.2 (SD: 1.9) geriatric problems gleaned from their charts and 9.0 (SD: 3.2) revealed by CGA. The most common health problems disclosed by the CGA were pneumococcal vaccination more than 3 years earlier, followed by sleep disorder, sedentarism, urinary incontinence, fall risk and cognitive impairment. The mean duration of CGA was 52 min and patient acceptability was high.Conclusion: The present study using the CGA in a population of patients aged 60 and above disclosed, on average, 6 medical problems previously unknown to the GP. The acceptability by patients was good.