The educational utility of comprehensive functional assessment in the elderly.

Comprehensive functional assessment in the elderly (CFAITE) is important in organizing and providing health care to elders in all health care settings, including the community, the nursing home and the acute-care hospital. The educational value of performing CFA coordinated with traditional discipline-specific diagnostic assessment resides in enhanced care for elders and more effective teaching of that care to their providers. The educational opportunities intrinsic to a system of health care using CFA are numerous and provide stimulation and enthusiasm for all involved professionals.