[STEP--standardized assessment of elderly people in primary care].

Background: There is a need for a standard preventive assessment scheme, which is effective, feasible and acceptable throughout European primary care.

Methods: A consensus based guideline including systematic reviews of the evidence was done by an expert panel of general practitioners (core group) and epidemiologists / geriatricians from seven European countries.

Results: The Step group identified 8 health domains to be considered in a preventive assessment; client's perspective and attitudes.