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The ABCD of the comprehensive geriatric assessment

Paven Kaur, Jeffrey Rowland and Elizabeth Whiting
Med J Aust 2021; 215 (5): . || doi: 10.5694/mja2.51203
Published online: 9 August 2021

The concept of the “ABCD of CGA” would result in varying assessments depending on the environment and needs of the patient

The comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is considered the gold standard assessment tool for evaluating and providing care to at‐risk and frail older patients. The key elements of the CGA include a multidimensional approach with a coordinated multidisciplinary assessment to identify medical, psychosocial, environmental and functional concerns. The information gathered is used to inform and formulate a detailed and individualised care plan with identified goals focusing on restoring or maintaining function with clear follow‐up.1,2,3


  • Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD



Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

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  • 2. Pilotto A, Panza F. Section 2 — key concepts in care of older adults: comprehensive geriatric assessment: evidence. In: Michel JP, Beattie BL, Martin FC, Walston JD, editors. Oxford textbook of geriatric medicine. Oxford University Press, 2018; pp 117–127.
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  • 7. Stuck AE, Siu AL, Wieland GD, et al. Comprehensive geriatric assessment: a meta-analysis of controlled trials. Lancet 1993; 342: 1032–1036.
  • 8. Baztán JJ, Suárez-García FM, López-Arrieta J, et al. Effectiveness of acute geriatric units on functional decline, living at home, and case fatality among older patients admitted to hospital for acute medical disorders: meta-analysis. BMJ 2009; 338: b50.
  • 9. Conroy SP, Ansari K, Williams M, et al. A controlled evaluation of comprehensive geriatric assessment in the emergency department: the “emergency frailty unit”. Age Ageing 2014; 43: 109–114.

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