[Frailty: practical assessment tools for outpatient care]

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterised by a state of dynamic vulnerability, which can be screened for using simple, validated tools. Early identification of frailty provides an opportunity to intervene before dependence occurs. Thanks to an in-depth understanding of their patients and their environment, as well as long-term monitoring, general practitioners play a central role in the early identification of frailty. They are the first healthcare professionals able to detect the early signs of vulnerability and to put in place the appropriate interventions, care and resources to enable patients to continue living independently at home.