The abbreviated comprehensive geriatric assessment (aCGA): a retrospective analysis.
BACKGROUND
A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a multidimensional assessment that is designed to detect health problems. A barrier to conducting the CGA is the length of time required to complete the entire assessment.


OBJECTIVE
To understand what items contained in the instruments that make up the CGA could be compiled to construct an abbreviated CGA (aCGA).


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of patients at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center.


METHODS
Over 500 charts between 1995 and 2001 were reviewed on patients 70 and over.


METHODS
Item-to-total correlations and Cronbach's alpha coefficient were calculated. Construct validity was assessed using a Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient.


RESULTS
Fifteen items were compiled to form the aCGA. Cronbach's alpha was 0.65-0.92 on each instrument of the entire CGA compared to 0.70-0.94 on the aCGA. Correlations ranged from 0.84 to 0.96 for the entire CGA and the aCGA.


CONCLUSIONS
An aCGA can be helpful in screening for those seniors who would benefit from the entire CGA.
Overcash
Janine A
JA
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 22, Tampa, FL 33612-4766, USA. jovercas@hsc.usf.edu
Beckstead
Jason
J
Extermann
Martine
M
Cobb
Sara
S
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires