Centre for Policy on Ageing



The Geriatric Mental State Examination in the 21st century
Author(s)	J R M Copeland, M Prince, K C M Wilson
Journal title	International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, vol 17, no 8, August 2002
Pages	pp 729-732
Keywords	Depression ; Evaluation ; Literature reviews.
Annotation	The Geriatric Mental State Examination ((GMS) is now established as one of the most commonly used mental health assessments for older people. Its strengths lie in extensive validity studies, high inter-rater reliability, accessibility to trained raters (irrespective of professional background), and its continual evolution and adaptation. In computerisation, association with supplementary instruments and support by a diagnostic algorithm provides a comprehensive diagnostic system and syndrome profile for each subject. The instrument has been validated against most major diagnostic systems and has been used as outcome measures in intervention studies. Translation into several languages and validation in various cultures have exposed weaknesses, including the over-diagnoses of organic states in populations with poorly developed education. Ongoing studies continue to consider these issues, providing a culture sensitive instrument enabling unique transcultural research in a relatively under-researched field. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-020903208 A
Classmark	ENR: 4C: 64A
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.