Table 1 Overview of STEP Items, results of the pre-selections, instruments, and qualitative arguments given in pre-selections A and D

Decreased performance with everyday tasksCOOP/WONCA Charts [12]

x

x

A question concerning function was included because ADL is a crucial content of a geriatric assessment

Decreased maximal exercise capacity for two minutes

Problems with BADL

x

x

Important for independence

Problems with IADL

x

x

x

Problems with housing

No help in emergencyLachs [13]

x

x

A social network is considered important, especially as a missing network leads to insecurity and anxiety

No help in sickness

No person to trustOARS [14]

x

x

Being a caregiver

x

x

Being a caregiver is highly important for the patient with regard to preserving autonomy

Financial problems

Breathlessness

x

Health problem was rated as important for GP and patient

Chest pain

x

Chest pain is often new to GP, important for the patient; interventions are often planned

Claudication

x

Claudication is often new to GP; health problem is important for doctor and patient; in many cases interventions were planned and conducted

Dizziness

x

Interventions are often planned and conducted subsequently to the assessment

Difficulty sleeping

x

Sleeplessness has high prevalence and is often new to the GP

Pain

x

x

Pain was included because of its high prevalence

Weight loss

x

Interventions are often planned and conducted subsequently to the assessment

History of fallsTinetti [15]

x

x

x

x

Falls are often new to GP

All GPs agreed that this item is essential in a geriatric assessment

History of cardiac infarction

History of stroke

History of fractures

Problems with chewing

x

Urinary incontinenceSandvick et al. [16]

x

x

x

Urinary incontinence has a high prevalence and is often new to the doctor, patients often keep quiet about the problem because of shame

Fecal incontinence/constipation

x

x

Problem is important for the patient

Problems with visionLambeth Disability Questionnaire [17,18]

x

x

x

x

There was consensus among the researchers that this health problem must be included as “basic GA item”

Despite some controversies (no consequence, most patients regularly visit an ophthalmologist), most GPs recommend the inclusion of this item because patients do not address the problem on their own

Problems with hearingLambeth Disability Questionnaire [17,18]

x

x

x

x

There was consensus among the researchers that this health problem must be included as “basic GA item”

Despite some controversies (can easily be detected without an assessment), most GPs recommend the inclusion of this item because patients do not address the problem on their own. Furthermore, good hearing is important for social activities.

DepressionWhooley et al. [19]

x

x

x

x

Health problem is important for GP and patient; many planned and conducted interventions

All GPs agreed that this item is essential in a geriatric assessment

There was consensus among the researchers that this health problem must be included as “basic GA item”

Mourning

Loneliness

Anxiety

x

Anxiety is important for the patient; monitoring is important for differentiation between depression and anxiety

Smoking

Alcohol abuse

No healthy diet

x

x

Especially the ability to prepare a meal seems to be important for a balanced diet, the item is closely linked to the IADL aspects

Too little exercise

Immunization missing or unknownSTEP [1]

x

Very high prevalence, problem is often new to GP

Problems with medication

x

x

x

The item seems to be very important for GPs because lack of compliance, use of OTC drugs, and prescriptions of other medical specialists unknown to the GP are frequent problems

Hypertension

Arrhythmia

High blood sugar or known diabetes

High cholesterol

Thyroid dysfunction

Abnormal clock drawing testClock drawing test [20,21]

x

x

x

x

Problem is often new to GP; A basic cognition test is central to a geriatric assessment

All GPs agreed that this item is essential in a geriatric assessment

Abnormal timed-up-and-go

x

All GPs agreed that this item is essential in a geriatric assessment

Foot problems

x

x

High prevalence