European postgraduate curriculum in geriatric medicine developed using an international modified Delphi technique.

Background: the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS-GMS) recommendations for training in Geriatric Medicine were published in 1993. The practice of Geriatric Medicine has developed considerably since then and it has therefore become necessary to update these recommendations.

Methods: under the auspices of the UEMS-GMS, the European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS) and the European Academy of Medicine of Ageing (EAMA), a group of experts, representing all member states of the respective bodies developed a new framework for education and training of specialists in Geriatric Medicine using a modified Delphi technique.

For better or worse: Factors predicting outcomes of family care of older people over a one-year period. A six-country European study.

Objectives: Demographic change has led to an increase of older people in need of long-term care in nearly all European countries. Informal carers primarily provide the care and support needed by dependent people. The supply and willingness of individuals to act as carers are critical to sustain informal care resources as part of the home health care provision.

Measuring case-mix and outcome for older people in acute hospital care across Europe: the development and potential of the ACMEplus instrument.

Aim: To identify case-mix variables measured shortly after admission to be included in a patient classification system (ACMEplus) that best explains hospital outcome for older people in different health care systems.

Design: Observational prospective cohort study collecting patient factors (sociodemographics, functional, mental, clinical, administrative and perceived health) at different time assessments.

Methods: Multicentre study involving eight hospitals in six European countries (United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Finland, Greece and Poland).

A multi-centre European study of factors affecting the discharge destination of older people admitted to hospital: analysis of in-hospital data from the ACMEplus project.

Objectives: to examine the relationship between seven predictor variables (recorded on Day 3 of hospital admission) and discharge destination in non-elective medical patients aged 65+ years.

Design: prospective cohort.

Setting: eight centres in six European countries.

Pathways to care for the elderly in Greece.

The findings from this study show the use of the Emergency Department of a central Athens hospital in 1988 by over 70 year olds. Interviews with staff illustrated varying perceptions of their role in relation to the elderly, associated with occupation and specialty. Findings from interviews with 100 subjects and accompanying persons using the service investigated the circumstances surrounding the attendance at the hospital emergency department and the role of the family in decision making and support.