title: [Principles for the assessment and management of polymorbid elderly patients: a guide for clinicians].
abstract: Providing care to multimorbid older patients is complex, not only because of the coexistence of multiple chronic conditions, but also because of their frequent intrication with psychological and social problems. This article describes a guide for clinicians to assess and manage multimorbid older patients. This guide was adapted from the work of a group of expert US geriatricians. It proposes seven steps: identification of the main problem; identification of patients' preferences; setting of goals of care; estimation of life expectancy; identification of relevant evidence in the literature; revision of the plan of care; and discussion of the options with the patient. The use of this guide is illustrated by a clinical case.
authors.affiliation: Service de gériatrie et réadaptation gériatrique, CUTR Sylvana, CHUV, Epalinges. fabienne.riat@chuv.ch
authors.forename: Fabienne
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Riat
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rochat
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Büla
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Renard
authors.forename: Stéfanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Monod
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000465:Algorithms; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005853:Geriatrics; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome