Dr. Jerome Kim on Geriatric Assessment Tool for Older Patients With Cancer

Jerome G. Kim, MD, medical oncologist, hematologist, Kaiser Permanente, discusses the feasibility of an assessment tool for older adults with cancer using web-based platforms.

Kim says this geriatric assessment tool, which was developed during his fellowship at City of Hope, aims to identify patients at high-risk of developing severe toxicities associated with chemotherapy. The assessment is composed of a survey that examines patients' functional status, comorbidities, cognitive function, psychological state, nutrition status, and more. The survey also allows patients to have deeper communication with their physicians, Kim explains. Patients preferred an electronic version of the assessment versus completing it on paper.

This analysis showed that the geriatric assessment was reliable (between platforms) and feasible. Kim says he believes it could become an important tool for patient assessment.