Multimorbidity in an outpatient geriatric population

Every year, the outpatient clinic of the department of Internal Medicine of the
AMC is visited by about 600 over-80-year-olds. They are referred because of a
principal complaint that is explored and treated. Still, many elderly have
several diseases and restrictions (multimorbidity) that are not paid attention
to. Doctors and patients do not give them priority, or believe that they are
part of a normal process of ageing.
If however, doctors would take multimorbidity into account, treatment would
become better adjusted to the geriatric patient. This
would lead to less damage and a better quality of life.

To study the awareness and proper treatment of multimorbidity, polypharmacy and
other conditions in very old patients visiting the outpatient clinic of the
department of internal medicine.

In this observational study, we will evaluate the current approach of elderly
patients at the department of general internal medicine.
Patients will be interviewed and examined by their attending physician and
receive care as usual. After the consult, when waiting for their last talk with
the doctor, patients are asked to participate in our study. The study
interviews and tests will be done by a medical doctor and/or a medical student
specifically trained to perform these tests. We expect this will take about an
hour. After the tests are finished, we will check the medical chart for the
conclusions of the attending physician. In case we find a disease or condition
from our list is missing, the physician will be notified about this and advised
to start treatment. Also, patients will be asked about their appreciation about
this extra examination.

The examinations needed for the study will be done during the outpatient clinic
visit. We expect that this will take about half an hour.
With the results of this study, we hope to get more knowledge about the best
ways of treating the elderly patient in the AMC.