[Comprehensive geriatric assessment: unfeasible and undesirable]

The new clinical practice guideline on Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) issued by the Dutch Geriatrics Society aims to optimise the diagnostic strategy in secondary care geriatric patients in order to achieve a treatment plan that will retain self-reliance and quality of life of these patients for as long as possible. An extensive listing of all somatic, psychological and social factors that could affect the health and welfare of all frail patients forms the basis of this guideline. This is actually an essential goal for any patient, regardless of age and condition. Knowledge of the optimal diagnostic tests and therapy for elderly patients, and a financial evaluation of such assessments are still lacking. Moreover, it remains to be seen if such a thorough assessment by a medical specialist is feasible and desired. The authors suggest using the proposed CGA as a starting point for a broad discussion between geriatric specialists, other medical specialists and general practitioners before implementing this as a general guideline.