[Application of the BOP (an evaluation scale for older patients) in a psychiatric hospital. A clinical study]

In this study we examined the relationship between BOP rating scores and psychiatric diagnoses at discharge of 74 psychogeriatric patients admitted to the AZUA psychiatric clinic. The BOP is the Dutch rating scale modelled after the Stockton Geriatric Rating Scale. The BOP was administered two weeks after admittance, and a second time four weeks later. These results were compared with results from an earlier study. The usefulness of the BOP as viewed by the treatment and nursing staff was evaluated. Treatment team evaluation of the BOP revealed some shortcomings. Members found the information too global und redundant. Reflecting their training and own point of view, the nursing staff too gave critical assessments of the BOP. Analysis of the first BOP rating scores showed a positive correlation between three BOP subscale scores and the discharge diagnosis of dementia. Closer inspection revealed that this relation was limited to male patients suggesting that both the patient sex and the nature of the dementia may be factors influencing BOP rating scores.