title: Geriatric assessment of older patients with cancer in Australia--a multicentre audit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of geriatric assessment in patients aged over 70 years in Australian medical oncology clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a multicentre audit in two parts: a retrospective file review of initial consultations with an oncologist and prospective audit of case presentations at multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs). Patients aged over 70 years presenting to a medical oncology clinic or being discussed at an MDM were eligible. Data was collected at six oncology centres in Victoria, NSW and Canberra from October 2009 to March 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data was collected from 251 file reviews and 108 MDM discussions in a total of 304 patients. Median age was 76 years (range 70-95). The geriatric assessment (GA) domains most frequently assessed during an initial consultation were the presence of comorbidities (92%), social situation-living alone or with someone (80%), social supports (63%), any mention of at least one Activity of Daily Living (ADL) (50%) and performance status (49%). Less frequently assessed were any Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) (26%), presence of a geriatric syndrome (24%), polypharmacy (29%) and creatinine clearance (11%). Only one patient had all components of ADLs and IADLs assessed. During MDMs all the geriatric domains were comparatively less frequently assessed. No patients had all ADL and IADL components discussed formally in an MDM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first multicentre audit that reveals the low rates of GA in Australian medical oncology practice and describes the GA domains considered important by oncology clinicians.
authors: The Canberra Hospital, Yamba Drive, Canberra, ACT 2605, Australia.
authors: Roopa
authors: R
authors: Lakhanpal
authors: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 7 St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia.
authors: Jaclyn
authors: J
authors: Yoong
authors: Border Medical Oncology, Suite 1, 69 Nordsvan Drive, Wodonga, VIC 3690, Australia.
authors: Sachin
authors: S
authors: Joshi
authors: The Canberra Hospital, Yamba Drive, Canberra, ACT 2605, Australia; Australian National University (ANU) Medical School, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
authors: Desmond
authors: D
authors: Yip
authors: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 7 St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Mileshkin
authors: Sydney Adventist Hospital, 185 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga, NSW 2076, Australia.
authors: Gavin M
authors: GM
authors: Marx
authors: Prince of Wales Hospital, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia.
authors: Tracey
authors: T
authors: Dunlop
authors: Prince of Wales Hospital, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia.
authors: Elizabeth J
authors: EJ
authors: Hovey
authors: Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, 1 Therry Road, Campbelltown, Sydney, NSW 2560, Australia.
authors: Stephen A
authors: SA
authors: Della Fiorentina
authors: Westmead Hospital, Corner of Hawkesbury Road and Darcy Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
authors: Lakshmi
authors: L
authors: Venkateswaran
authors: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
authors: Martin H N
authors: MH
authors: Tattersall
authors: Border Medical Oncology, Suite 1, 69 Nordsvan Drive, Wodonga, VIC 3690, Australia.
authors: Sem
authors: S
authors: Liew
authors: Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia.
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Field
authors: Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
authors: Nimit
authors: N
authors: Singhal
authors: Border Medical Oncology, Suite 1, 69 Nordsvan Drive, Wodonga, VIC 3690, Australia. Electronic address: csteer@bordermedonc.com.au.
authors: Christopher B
authors: CB
authors: Steer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009369:Neoplasms; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Geriatric assessment; Geriatric oncology; Medical oncology; Multidisciplinary meetings; Older adults