This Web-based eFI-CGA software was initiated and developed for the assessment of frailty using the deficit accumulation-based Frailty Index. It is meant to be used by geriatricians, primary care providers, and health care providers participating in the CIHR supported research project “Frailty assessment for older adults at points of care: Validating the electronic Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment / Frailty Index (eFI-CGA)”. The software development is in collaboration with the Fraser Health Authority [FHA] Community Actions and Resources Empowering Seniors (CARES) program, a community-based initiative to manage frailty in at-risk older adults. The software tool may also be used for research and clinical assessments by other interested parties, provided additional formal agreements concerning privacy and risk management, data sharing and management, and other legal matters at the organization level have been made and all the related documentations are in place. End users intending to use this web eFI-CGA software tool are responsible for obtaining separate approvals for their projects (e.g., research ethics, data privacy).

The Web-based eFI-CGA is a collaborative effort with multiple contributors. The eCGA form is developed based on the paper version of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Form (Capital Health CD0184MR_06_09), originated by Dr. Kenneth Rockwood (Capital Health Geriatrician and world-renowned expert in frailty), which has served as a template as permitted by Dr. Rockwood. This implementation of the Web-based eFI-CGA was adapted from the previously released Standalone eFI-CGA software created by research teams at the FHA. The project’s design and development of the software tools are conceptualized, supervised, and managed by Dr. Xiaowei Song (FHA; nominated Principal Investigator [PI] of the research project – CIHR Grant #CIHR-PJT-156210). The Canadian Frailty Network supported the implementation of the web application (CFN-CARES2020) with Dr. Grace Park (FHA Medical Director of Primary Care) as the clinical lead and Dr. Xiaowei Song (FHA Senior Clinical Scientist) as the scientific lead.

The software development team included a team of computer science students from Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, and other universities in Canada. Kash Khodabakhshi, Katayoun Sepehri, Erin Desaulniers, Kiarash Kianpoor and Stanley Kwok coded the web application, with testing, debugging, documenting, and administrative support from Riley Chang, Margit Glashutter, Jenny Hoang, and Hilary Low as directed by Dr. Song. Andrew McDonald, Hilary Low, and Riley Chang conducted a market survey to determine the required components for the Web-based eFI-CGA tool under supervision. Dr. Grace Park, Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, Dr. Alison Rodger, Dr. Leah Nemiroff, Dr. Olga Theou, and Dr. Barry Clarke provided critical input regarding usage requirements and user guide. Dr. Belinda Rodis, Dr. Peter O’Connor, and Dr. Anson Li provided valuable feedback for improving clinical assessments of frailty using electronic tools. Kuljeet Atwal (Research Coordinator at the FHA), Margaret Lin (CARES Manager), Yukiko Robinson (former CARES Manager), Lorraine Graves (Caregiver Representative), Annette Berndt (Patient Partner), Annette Garm (former CARES Executive Leader), and Dr. Brian Greeley provided valuable end-user feedback and perspectives to improve system design, user interface, and usability.

The Department of Evaluation and Research Services (DERS), Primary Care, and Information Technology of the FHA provided research management, administrative, and technical support for the project. Multiple clinics at the FHA provided user feedback of the eFI-CGA web-application using mock patient assessments (Tsawwassen Medical Clinic, Mission Oaks Medical Centre, Peace Arch Hospital Primary Care Access and Specialized Seniors Clinics, JPOCSC Seniors Clinic, Highroads Medical Clinic, Aboriginal Health Primary Care Clinic, New Westminster Specialized Seniors Clinic, Inwell Medical, Gateway Healthcare, Burnaby New Canadian Clinic, and Fraser Medical Clinic). Sincere appreciations also go to the patient participants in the eFI-CGA research projects.

All rights reserved. This software is not for sale, nor commercial distribution. Although the FHA’s Web-based eFI-CGA website may include links providing direct access to other Internet resources, such as websites, the FHA (including the eFI-CGA Research Project Team) is not responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained in these sites. The Web-based eFI-CGA is not to be modified, adapted, or used for any other derivative work in any way without written agreement and permission from the FHA. Once permitted, an authorized general user account can be created to access and use the software tool.

The user may publish scientific articles, other publications, presentations, media releases, and conduct other disseminations based on the data and information obtained using the eFI-CGA software tools (including the Standalone or the Web-based versions), provided that the user acknowledges their use of the software in said publications. Acknowledgement of use of the Web-based eFI-CGA tool should be as following: “The eFI-CGA Research Project Team (CIHR Grant #CIHR-PJT-156210 and CFN Grant #CFN2020-CARES) 2021: Frailty assessment for older adults at points of care: Validating the electronic Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment / Frailty Index (eFI-CGA).”

General users requesting to access and use the Web-based eFI-CGA tool should send all inquiries to support@efi-cga.ca. The corresponding email address is subject to change.

By agreeing to the terms and conditions, the user gives this web application permission to:

1. Sign in the user and access the user’s profile.
2. Maintain access to and store all inputted data.
3. Decline responsibility for external data breaches including but not limited to loss or theft of the device in use, unauthorized use of a user’s account, or unauthorized viewing of a user’s account information.
4. Suspend user account if inappropriate use of the website is exhibited (i.e., failure to follow the above guidelines).

Note: Users are also responsible for keeping their password safe.