The elderly in family practice: an evaluation of the geriatric visiting nurse.

The Geriatric Visiting Nurse (GVN) is a health-care professional who, assisted by a checklist, screens patients in their homes, carries out basic tests, and facilitates effective follow-up of patients. Utilization of the GVN in a rural Well-Elderly Clinic associated with the University of Iowa Department of Family Practice is described, and the GVN's participation in the clinic is compared with the screening services provided for physicians by geriatric nurses in advanced communities in various countries. Subject to careful planning, the GVN can play an important role in case-finding, and can, when incorporated into the family practice team, promote efficient utilization of the physician's time.