Could assessing the well-being of older patients create better treatment plans? Researchers with the US Department of Veterans Affairs posit that doing so just might improve patient quality of life. There are two surveys of well-being that have been developed for use in clinical settings. “Well-Being Signs” (WBS), a 1-minute screening, asks patients about how satisfied they are with the most important parts of their daily life, which could include time with family. It also asks how regularly they are involved in the activities and their level of functioning. “Well-Being Brief” (WBB) is self-administered and asks more in-depth questions about finances, health, social relationships, and vocation. Clinicians can use the tool to make referrals to appropriate services like counseling or resources like senior centers.
Link: Medscape Medical News (11/2024)
