The traditional disease-oriented model of medicine focuses on the theory that organ-
or system-based pathologies cause disease and, thus, treatment is focused on eliminating
the underlying pathology. However, the disease model does not account for complexity
of patients that are more often being seen in modern medical settings [
[1]
]. Due to increasing life expectancy, health care systems are progressively facing
growing populations of older patients, who often have non-disease specific problems
such as multimorbidity, frailty, polypharmacy, and disability [
[2]
,
[3]
]. The comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and Management is an approach that
aims to overcome some of the limitations of the disease-oriented model. Generally
defined, CGA is a multi-dimensional multi-disciplinary diagnostic process focused
on assessing an older person's medical, psychological and functional capability in
order to develop a coordinated and integrated plan for treatment and long-term follow-up
focused on the individual's needs. This assessment is followed by the development
of a care plan, based upon the comprehensive assessment. The care plan must state
explicitly what goals are being aimed for, who is responsible for achieving them and
a timeline for review of progress.Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 19, 2018
Accepted:
February 15,
2018
Received:
February 12,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
