Table 1 Descriptive characteristics of included studies

Barkhausen et al. 2015. Germany [40]

“It’s MAGIC”—development of a manageable geriatric assessment for general practice use

Older adults aged ≥ 72 years

General practitioner (n = 20)

OPD in General Practice

To develop a “manageable geriatric assessment – MAGIC”, specially tailored to the requirements of daily primary care

Mixed methods. Qualitative focus groups. Mind-mapping analysis

A brief comprehensive screening tool to facilitate identification of unidentified health problems in primary care amongst multimorbid older people

Not reported

Not reported

Berkhout‐Byrne et al. 2023. The Netherlands [33]

Nephrology‐tailored geriatric assessment as decision‐making tool in kidney failure

Older people living at home aged ≥ 65 years, with chronic kidney disease stage G4‐G5, or a recent kidney transplantation

Older people (n = 18). Caregivers (n = 4). HCPs (n = 25)

Out-patient clinic in acute hospital setting

To explore the perspectives of patients and healthcare professionals on nephrology‐tailored geriatric assessment to fuel decision‐making for treatment choices in older patients with kidney failure

Qualitative- focus groups

Various methods of multidimensional assessments (e.g., functional, cognitive, psycho‐social, and somatic status)

Nephrologists, geriatricians, nurse practitioners, dialysis nurses, social workers and dieticians

Nephrologist and Geriatrician

Cravens et al. 2005. United States [38]

Home-based comprehensive assessment of rural elderly persons: the CARE project

Older community residents aged ≥ 75 years

Physicians and nurse practitioners (n = unknown)

In-home

To develop and pilot a model of rural home-based CGA to determine whether successful urban models can be adapted to rural areas

Mixed-methods. Qualitative Interviews. Immersion-crystallization approach to content analysis,

Multidisciplinary CGA led by a remote geriatrician. An in-home comprehensive assessment was completed by a trained nurse which was proactive and goal orientated. The social worker contacted patients remotely for additional information. The MDT held weekly meetings whereby a problem list and recommendations were formed

Geriatrician, nurse, administrator, and a social worker

Two geriatricians involved. The nurse was trained to complete the CGA components by a project geriatrician

Donaghy et al. 2023. United Kingdom [37]

General practitioner-led adapted comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail older people: a multi-methods evaluation of the ‘Living Well Assessment’ quality improvement project in Scotland

Older people living at home with moderate or severe frailty

General practitioners (n = 10)

In-home and then remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions

(1) To evaluate the impact of the LWA quality improvement project in primary care from the General practitioners’ and patients’ perspectives. (2) To determine whether there was a preference in the methods of delivery of the Living Well Assessment (CGA)(face to face and remote [telephone or video])

Mixed-methods-survey, interviews and focus groups

One-hour face-to-face assessment led by a General practitioner guided by a checklist. Referrals to other members of the MDT were made if necessary. An MDT meeting was held once a month for complex patients. Home assessments had to be changed to remote (video/telephone due to COVID-19 restrictions)

General practitioner

Participating General practitioners received training on carrying out the assessment from the project lead, who also received training from a practice in Scotland

Ericsson et al. 2021. Sweden [43]

“To be seen” – older adults and their relatives’ care experiences given by a geriatric mobile team (GerMoT)

Community-dwelling older people aged ≥ 75 years who have had 3 or more visits to the emergency care unit within the past 18 months and have ≥ 3 different diagnoses

Total sample N = 33. Older adults (n = 22) Relatives/caregivers (n = 11)

In-home and OPD in acute hospital

To obtain a better understanding, from the patients’ perspective, the experience of receiving CGA for both the participants and their relatives

Qualitative. Semi-structured qualitative interviews. Inductive qualitative content

analysis

Individualised holistic interdisciplinary CGA including future care plan and follow-ups. An initial home visit is carried out by a nurse. A clinical pharmacist carried out a drug review. An out-patient medical assessment is carried out by a physician. Interdisciplinary meetings were held twice weekly where the patient's assessments were discussed and an individualised plan of care was made

Nurses, physicians, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a pharmacist and a social worker

Not reported

Gardner et al. 2019. United Kingdom [34]

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in hospital and hospital-at-home settings: a mixed-methods study

Older people after an acute medical event, who were not severely unwell

Focus groups: Older people (n = 8) Caregivers (n = 3) Relatives (n = 3). Semi-structured interviews: HCPs (n = 11)

In-home

To define and describe the structure, content and delivery of the CGA as practised in hospital and hospital-at-home-based settings, from the perspective of health-care professionals who deliver it and patients and caregivers who experience this type of health care

Mixed-methods. Comparative case study- focus groups with older people, semi-structured interviews with HCP's. Framework approach to comparative analysis

A multidomain medical and therapeutic service provided to patients at home. Medical care and acute nursing was provided for up to 2 weeks, while rehabilitation therapy was available for up to 6 weeks

Hospital at Home 1: geriatricians, nurses with expertise in health care for older people, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, therapy assistants, pharmacists, a social worker and mental health liaison member. Hospital at Home 2: nurses, geriatricians, mental health specialist nurse and a pharmacist

Geriatrician involved

Ibrahim et al. 2022. United Kingdom [35]

The feasibility and acceptability of assessing and managing sarcopenia and frailty among older people with upper limb fracture

People aged ≥ 65 years with an upper limb fracture attending fracture clinics with sarcopenia and/or frailty

Total sample N = 22. Older people (n = 13) Orthopaedic consultants (n = 2) Nurses (n = 3) Geriatric practitioners (n = 4)

In-home

To evaluate the feasibility of assessing sarcopenia and frailty among people aged 65 + years attending fracture clinics with an upper limb fracture

Mixed-methods. Semi-structured interviews. Inductive thematic analysis

The majority of CGAs were conducted by geriatric. This involved a comprehensive assessment and MDT health and social care management pathway based upon individual assessment findings

Geriatrician and physiotherapist

Geriatrician involved. No other specific training involved

Junius-Walke et al. 2019. Germany [41]

How older patients prioritise their multiple health problems: a qualitative study

Older people in general practices aged ≥ 70 years

N = 34 older people

OPD in General Practice

To explore what underlying reasons patients have when they assess the importance of their health problems

Qualitative. Semi-structured interviews. Content analysis

Multicomponent assessment of health conditions and activities of daily living in the domains of function, social health, medical problems, mood, life-style, immunization, medication, cognition. Patients were presented with their findings after the CGA

Not reported

Not reported

King et al. 2017. New Zealand [42]

Implementation of a gerontology nurse specialist role in primary health care: Health professional and older adult perspectives

(1) Older adults aged ≥ 75 years who were enrolled in one of the 3 primary healthcare practices at risk of health and functional decline

Total (n = 11). General practitioner 's (n = 3) Nurse (n = 1) Hospital-based gerontological nurse specialist (n = 1) Primary healthcare gerontological nurse specialist (n = 1) Older people aged ≥ 75 years (n = 5)

In-home

To explore the new primary healthcare gerontological nurse specialist role from the perspectives of older people and health professionals

Qualitative. Semi-structured interviews. General descriptive inductive analysis

An in-home comprehensive holistic assessment targeting functional ability, cognitive impairment and depression with care co-ordination procedures was carried out by the Primary healthcare gerontological nurse specialist

Primary healthcare gerontological nurse specialist

The Primary healthcare gerontological nurse specialist received upskilling and mentorship as well as weekly case conferences and education sessions from the hospital-based specialist gerontology team

Mäkelä et al. 2020. United Kingdom [36]

The work of older people and their informal caregivers in managing an acute health event in a hospital at home or hospital inpatient setting

Older people aged ≥ 65 years who presented to the hospital acute assessment unit

Total sample N = 63. Older people (n = 15 who received hospital at home) Caregivers (n = 12 for patients who received hospital at home)

In-home

To explore the work of patients and caregivers at the time of an acute health event, the interface with health professionals in hospital and Hospital at Home and how their experiences related to the principles that underpin CGA

Qualitative. Semi-structured interviews. Normalisation process theory analysis

Geriatrician-led admission avoidance hospital at home with CGA. This involved provision of healthcare by MDT members including MDT meetings and daily virtual ward rounds and direct access to elements of acute hospital care

Geriatrician, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists and referral to other services if required

Geriatrician involved

Rietkerk et al. 2019. Netherlands [30]

Explaining experiences of community-dwelling older adults with a pro-active comprehensive geriatric assessment program—a thorough evaluation by interviews

Home-dwelling frail older people aged ≥ 65 years

Older people (n = 25)

In-home or in OPD in General Practice

To explore and explain experiences of older adults who participated in a pro-active outpatient CGA program

Qualitative. Semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis and cross-case analysis

The CGA included a multidomain assessment exploring psychological, social or functional needs. Additional allied health professional services were also offered when required. Individualised person-centred goals were devised from assessment findings. Written recommendations were offered to the older people and their general practitioners

Geriatric nurse or geriatric care physician. Other allied health professionals if required

Healthcare providers were trained in motivational interviewing. Geriatric nurse and geriatric care physician involved

Silverman et al. 1994. United States [39]

Geriatric Assessment: Inisde the black box

Older adults aged 65–90

Older people (n = 19) (n = 16 accompanied by a family member) HCPs (n = 22)

OPD in acute hospital

(1) To describe the treatment setting by identifying the similarities and differences in the four Geriatric Assessment Units (2) To describe and analyse the responses of providers, patients and family members to the CGA

Qualitative- process evaluation. Interviews. Analysis not clear

Not reported

Geriatrician, a geriatric social worker and a nurse

Geriatrician involved

Stijnen et al. 2014. Netherlands [31]

Nurse-led home visitation programme to improve health-related quality of life and reduce disability among potentially frail community-dwelling older people in general practice: a theory-based process evaluation

Potentially frail community-dwelling older people aged ≥ 75 years

Practice nurses (n = 13) General practitioners (n = 14) Older people (n = 17)

Home-based CGA

To examine (1) the extent to which the 'Getting OLD the healthy way' home visitation programme was implemented as planned in general practices, and (2) the extent to which general practices successfully redesigned their care delivery

Mixed methods. Semi-structured interviews. General inductive approach and conventional content analysis

A home-based CGA conducted by a practice nurse in collaboration with a General Practitioner and multidisciplinary intervention and follow-up was conducted. More elaborate assessments could be completed if deemed appropriate

Practice nurse and General practitioner

Not clearly reported. Practice nurses completed two-day training session that focused on gaining knowledge and skills to carry out the home visitation programme

Voorend et al. 2021. The Netherlands [32]

Perspectives and experiences of patients and healthcare professionals with geriatric assessment in chronic kidney disease: a qualitative study

Older adults ≥ 65 years living with end stage kidney disease

Six focus groups, N = 47. Older adults (n = 18) Caregivers (n = 4) Healthcare professionals (n = 25)

(1) out-patient clinic (2) home visit with telephone follow-up and (3) out-patient clinic

To explore perspectives and experiences of patients and professionals with geriatric assessment in the care for older (≥ 65 years) patients approaching end stage kidney disease, and to identify benefits, facilitators and barriers for implementation into routine nephrological care

Qualitative. Semi-structured focus groups. Inductive thematic analysis

(1) a yearly one-hour geriatric assessment in routine care for patients approaching end stage kidney disease performed in a university hospital conducted by a nurse practitioner or practice nurse (2) a three-hour geriatric assessment for patients approaching end stage kidney disease in a study setting conducted by a research nurse (3) a single-time point geriatric assessment among patients starting with or withholding from dialysis conducted by a nurse practitioner

Not reported

Not reported