Table 1.
FIMA: cost categories, variables, units, and time periods
| Cost category | Variable | Unit | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulatory health care | GP, internist, internist with specialty (eg, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, nephrologist, diabetologist, gynecologist, surgeon, orthopedist, neurologist, dermatologist, ophthalmologist, urologist, dentist, psychotherapist), ambulatory stays at hospital, others | Number of appointments (including collection of prescriptions and home visits) | 3 months |
| Remedies | Physiotherapy (kinesiotherapy, massage, physical therapy), ergotherapy, medical pedicure, osteopathy | Number of appointments | 3 months |
| Nursing and home care services | Ambulatory community care, private nursing care, informal care (family, friends, and so on), short-term care | Number of days in a week/number of days in a month/number of hours and minutes a day | 3 months |
| Medicines | Name of drug, packaging size | Daily/weekly/monthly/yearly dosage | 7 days |
| Rehabilitation | Ambulatory and stationary stays | Number of days | 12 months |
| Stays in hospital (ambulatory and stationary) | Outpatient clinics, stationary stays (including stays at the psychiatric hospital) | Number of days | 12 months |
| Auxiliary equipment | Walking frame, glasses, hearing device, dental prosthesis, breathing apparatus, wheelchair, hygiene pads, bath seat, others | Ownership and usage | Currently and in the past 12 months |
| Relocations | Necessity to change the place of residence | Yes or no | 12 months |
| Form of residence | Private household, shelter flat, residential care, others | Yes or no | 12 months |
Abbreviations: FIMA, Fragebogen zur Inanspruchnahme medizinischer und nicht-medizinischer Versorgungsleistungen im Alter [Questionnaire for Health-Related Resource Use in an Elderly Population]; GP, general practitioner.