Selecting routine outpatient tests for older patients.

In the routine management of elderly patients, the usual objective of diagnostic testing is to prevent the loss of independence when chronic disorders interfere with activities of daily living. Simple in-office tests and other outpatient procedures are the mainstay for diagnosing and monitoring dementia, incontinence, impairment of vision and hearing, alterations in nutrition, musculoskeletal disease, pulmonary and cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and endocrine disorders. In selecting diagnostic tests, physicians must weigh the alternatives based on patient needs, cost-effectiveness, and the availability of nearby medical services.