Abstract:
Objective of the study was To determine the reason/s for encounter (RFE) and existing
medical and psychosocial problems of geriatric patients in a general practice. All the
geriatric patients (65 years and above) who consulted the investigator during a period of two
months were included in the study. The RFE was recorded at every consultation but with
regard to other information data was collected only once. The Mini Mental State
Examination (MMSE) was used to determine cognitive impairment while assessment of
depression was based on DSM-4 criteria. RFE s were coded using the International
Classification of Primary Care -2 (ICPC- 2) Multiple medical and psychosocial problems
were identified in geriatric patients. It is unlikely that all these problems could be detected
during routine consultations. Therefore geriatric screening programmes have to be
introduced through the primary health care system. Postgraduate and undergraduate
curricula should include geriatric medicine to make future doctors competent to address the
multiple and complex problems of this vulnerable age group.
