[Evolution and current tools of multidimensional assessment in Italy].
Evaluation of the health status of elderly patients clearly should take into consideration the older individual's medical (physical and mental health), psychosocial and economical status, and functional capabilities and problems (multidimensional evaluation). This methodology has been used in anglo-saxon countries since over 20 years and is now quite diffuse in Italy as well. This paper reports the results of a study performed by the Epidemiology Unit of Tor Vergata University in Rome (Italy) to verify whether a national project regarding the elderly population (Progetto Obiettivo Anziani), has been put into effect across Italy and, in particular, whether, in the context of this project, Geriatric Evaluation Units have been activated. The study evaluated the structural features of the existing Geriatric Units, as well as the type of employed staff and tools used. The results confirm that multidimensional assessment of the elderly is well established in Italy even though Geriatric Evaluation Units across the country are very diverse with respect to the type of employed staff and their work experience. The number of elderly persons evaluated in the Geriatric Units appears to be low but this is also due to the fact that multidimensional evaluation is only one of the many activities performed by the Units. This fact should be reflected upon however, and may call for a greater investment in this important sector of geriatric care.
Scarcella
Paola
P
Cattedra di Igiene, Università Tor Vergata--Roma, Italy. scarcelp@tin.it
Liotta
Giuseppe
G
Marazzi
Maria Cristina
MC
Noce
Antonio
A
Doro Altan
Anna Maria
AM
Simeoni
Siro
S
Palombi
Leonardo
L
D000368:Aged; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D009313:National Health Programs; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D012384:Rome; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires