title: [Dutch observation scales to assess cognitive abilities of the aged].
abstract: Assessment of complex geriatric health problems by nurses is important for diagnosis, especially assessment of cognitive functioning through daily observations. However, it is unclear which Dutch observation scales are available to assess cognitive abilities. In this study, we present an overview of these scales. A systematic review was performed. Beforehand we determined criteria for inclusion of scales and we searched through Dutch and English databases up till May 2005. Thirteen behavioural observation scales were found. The number of dimensions of cognitive functioning assessed in the scales varied greatly, from two to eight in number. Memory and psychomotor behaviour were always included; consciousness and thinking were frequently included, while alertness, perception, executive functions and language were least included. Extensive assessment of cognitive functioning is highly relevant for a geriatric hospital ward in which patients are admitted for diagnosis. Of all scales that we traced, the A-one is the most extensive: all eight dimensions are included. Little is known about the potential for using the A-one scale in nursing practice; further exploration is indicated. For now, nurses should become acquainted with the different dimensions of cognitive functioning and start to integrate observations in these dimensions in their reporting.
authors.affiliation: UMC St Radboud, Kenniscentrum Geriatrie-931, Postbus 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen. a.persoon@ger.umcn.nl
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Persoon
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Joosten
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van de Vrie
authors.forename: M G M
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Olde Rikkert
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van Achterberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015588:Observer Variation; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards