Another screening tool is the ten-minute screening tool for geriatric conditions.  It is a good screening for differential diagnosis for medical conditions as it works with multidisciplinary approach addressing general systems review for example patient’s visual, vestibular, musculoskeletal, urinary, physical, and nervous system. Looking at this screening tool closely, it looks like a close resemblance to a holistic foundation approach of Timed up and go test (TUG), mini cog, visual and auditory assessment, and screen for urinary incontinence. Specifically, under leg mobility, the instruction given is: “Rise from the chair. Then walk 20 feet briskly, turn, walk back to the chair and sit down”. This is quiet similar to TUG instructions: “to rise from sitting from a standard arm chair, walk 10 ft, turn, walk back to the chair, and sit down” (ARHP, 2015, para.2) – See more at: http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Rheumatologist/Research/Clinician-Researchers/Timed-Up-Go-TUG#sthash.8vRMMKb6.dpuf” Currently, there is no available public information regarding the validity of ten-minute screening tool. Taking it positively, a tool which is published 1996 shows potential advancement in the future in becoming a gold standard screen for the geriatric population. As it demonstrates close resemblance to TUG, there is a possibility that this will be a helpful screening tool as several studies suggested TUG as high determinants for fall among low functioning elderly patients. For instance, Schoene et al. (2013) noted: “The findings suggest that the TUG is not useful for discriminating fallers from non-fallers in healthy, high-functioning older people but is of more value in less-healthy, lower-functioning older people” (para.6). 

Furthermore, the ten minute screen for geriatric condition is an easy to administer as the screen consists of important pillars which corresponds to questionnaire and tasks starts with an open-ended question and then later use a funnel technique of yes/no question to clarify and confirm statements.  Most importantly, I think it is very time efficient to use a ten-minute screening tool for a practitioner like me who holds four buildings, with thirty one patients on caseload and still growing. The ratio of my patients to me is quite overwhelming and then I start questioning myself:  “how will I be able to address these patients’ needs and at the same time, provide quality of care”. 

Aside from good communication in between my assistants, I figured time management will be one aspect that I should take a look at. The ten minute screening tool makes my time efficient. I had started to use it a month ago after learning it from a continuing education program. For instance, I had a patient for evaluation, I incorporate the screening test as part of my evaluation and actually I find it very helpful in addressing problems particularly falls among seniors. The screen has important aspects such as vision, hearing, leg mobility, urinary incontinence, nutrition and weight loss, memory, depression and physical disability which are highly predictive in causing debility among elderly population.

In general, geriatric screening tools such as comprehensive geriatric assessment and ten-minute screening tool use multidimensional approach to provide baseline in the physical therapy plan of care. Thus, it is the key in providing success in the patient’s plan of care. As a physical therapist, I find it very rewarding whenever I was able to help my patients recover and bounce back in their lives. I am grateful that I’m enrolled in a transitional doctor of physical therapy program (tDPT) from which I was able to use an evidence based practice and take a step forward in fulfilling my career as a physical therapist.