[Ambulatory geriatric screening--an overview. I: Concept and methodologic development]

Scientific literature reveals different levels of efficiency in geriatric screening in the primary care setting. Part I of our review deals with the development of geriatric screening up to the implementation of regular health checks in Great Britain. Studies in primary care show that through screening 1-2 previously unknown conditions per patient can be detected, with a particularly high prevalence of unknown problems in the following areas: vision and hearing, continence, mobility, cognitive function, mood, isolation, and lack of help. Further research is still required to transfer the results of screening studies into primary care, particularly in validating instruments of geriatric assessments and selecting risk groups.