Consistency in patients' health and treatment expectations at a geriatric clinic

This study focused on predictors of consistency and inconsistency in health and treatment expectations among 77 new patients (mean age, 73) at a geriatric outpatient clinic. Just before their first appointment, and again one week afterward, the patients were asked about their overall health status, their specific illness complaints, their reasons for visiting the clinic, and their expectations regarding treatment and the future outlook. Few predictors of consistency were found for such outcome measures as the number of health problems reported, present and future health status, and the duration, difficulty and benefits of treatment. Inconsistency and uncertainty were more evident in these geriatric outpatients' perceptions, especially among those with self-rated poor health and mobility. This study emphasizes: 1) the importance to the treatment context of geriatric patients' inconsistencies about their health, and 2) the additional burden clinicians must bear in dealing with such discrepancies.