Screening for frailty in patients aged over 70: A study among general practitioners in Gironde
Type de matériel :
5
Context: Frailty is a reversible geriatric syndrome and is a significant public health issue due to its high prevalence among people over the age of 70 and its economic cost, related to the issue of dependence. The WHO has developed the ICOPE monitor application for health care professionals, to promote screening in the absence of clinical signs and to support healthy aging. The aim of our study was to identify how general practitioners (GPs) in Gironde implemented screening for frailty in their patients aged over 70, and to assess their knowledge of the ICOPE tool and its applicability in our region. Materials and methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative practice study using a self-administered questionnaire among GPs. Some GPs had completed their thesis and others hadn’t, and some were locum while others had an established practice in Gironde. Results: 198 responses were included in the analysis. The GPs surveyed screened for frailty in the event of clinical anomalies, patient complaints, and following the occurrence of an acute event, regardless of the domain concerned (cognitive, psychological, nutritional, locomotor, and neurosensory). Only 7.5% of the doctors were aware of the ICOPE tool, but 72.3% said they were ready to use it in consultations. The time-consuming nature of the tool, lack of training, and the absence of specific remuneration are barriers to its widespread use in Gironde. Conclusion: Early detection, as encouraged by the French National Health Authority (Haute Autorité de Santé, HAS) , is still not widely integrated into the practices of GPs in Gironde. Promoting the use of the ICOPE tool in our region and compensating GPs for preventive consultations could encourage systematic screening for frailty in patients over 70 years old.
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