A criterion-based review of preventive health care in the elderly. Part 2. A geriatric health maintenance program

Abstract

Although the geriatric population is growing rapidly and using an increasing portion of health care dollars, no consensus exists about the best approach to preventive medicine in this age group. The most comprehensive review to date is the 1989 United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations. However, the USPSTF did not specifically address the unique situation of the elderly. Consequently, we have evaluated numerous screening tests and preventive interventions for the elderly by systematically applying the geriatric-specific criteria for preventive services proposed in Part 1 of this article (J Fam Pract 1992; 34: 205-224). Tests and interventions were measured against specific screening criteria and put into one of three categories: those that have been proven effective, those that may be effective but about which more research is needed, and those that are not effective. Recommendations were compared with those of the USPSTF. Proof of the efficacy of most screening tests and interventions in the current literature was found to be lacking, pointing to the need for substantial future research in this area.