scholarly journals Development and Process Evaluation of a 5-Week Exercise Program to Prevent Falls in People after Stroke: The FALLS Program

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. R. van Duijnhoven ◽  
D. De Kam ◽  
W. Hellebrand ◽  
E. Smulders ◽  
A. C. H. Geurts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Common Complication

Falls are a common complication after stroke, with balance and gait deficits being the most important risk factors. Taking into account the specific needs and capacities of people with stroke, we developed the FALLS program (FALL prevention after Stroke), based on the “Nijmegen falls prevention program” (a proven-effective 5-week exercise program designed for community-dwelling elderly people). The program was tested in twelve community-dwelling persons with stroke, and a process evaluation was conducted with patients, trainers, health care professionals, and managers. The FALLS program was considered suitable and feasible by people with stroke in the study and relevant health care professionals, and recommendations for implementation in clinical practice have been suggested.

scholarly journals An Overview of Fall Prevention Strategies Among Adult Patients in Hospital Settings

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-217
Author(s):  
Mladen Jurišković ◽  
Martina Smrekar
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Medical Expenditure ◽  
Hospital System ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
Prevention Interventions

Falls present a major challenge for health care systems: they correlate with poor patient outcomes, extend the length of hospitalization, and increase overall medical expenditure. According to existing literature, risk factors for the occurrence of falls include the male gender, urinary incontinence, muscle weakness, agitation or confusion, and dementia. Studies have shown that the combined practice of identifying risk factors and implementing appropriate fall prevention interventions leads to a reduction in the incidence of falls among hospital patients. As the largest group of health professionals committed to providing high-quality care, nurses play an important role in preventing falls among patient populations. In order to prevent falls and maintain patient safety, it is important to identify the most effective strategies for fall prevention. This study presents an overview of previously published strategies and intervention practices on fall prevention in hospital settings around the world. The most common interventions include fall risk assessment, environment/equipment modifications, patient education/family education on fall prevention interventions, staff education on fall reporting and fall prevention, fall risk alerts, medication management, physical fitness of patients, assistance with transfer and toileting and effective team communication and leadership. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon nurses, other health-care professionals and the entire hospital system to develop effective strategies in order to prevent falls among hospitalised patients.

scholarly journals ‘Don’t forget the mouth!’: a process evaluation of a public oral health project in community-dwelling frail older people

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bach Van Ho ◽  
Claar Debora van der Maarel-Wierink ◽  
Annemiek Rollman ◽  
Roxane Anthea Francesca Weijenberg ◽  
Frank Lobbezoo
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Older People ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Dental Practice ◽  
Frail Older People ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Project

Abstract Background Older people are encouraged to remain community dwelling, even when they become care-dependent. Not every dental practice is prepared or able to provide care to community-dwelling frail older people, while their ability to maintain oral health and to visit a dentist is decreasing, amongst others due to multiple chronic diseases and/or mobility problems. The public oral health project ‘Don’t forget the mouth! (DFTM!) aimed to improve the oral health of this population, by means of early recognition of decreased oral health as well as by establishing interprofessional care. A process evaluation was designed to scientifically evaluate the implementation of this project. Methods The project was implemented in 14 towns in The Netherlands. In each town, health care professionals from a general practice, a dental practice, and a homecare organization participated. The process evaluation framework focused on fidelity, dose, adaptation, and reach. Each of the items were examined on levels of implementation: macro-level, meso-level, and micro-level. Mixed methods (i.e., quantitative and qualitative methods) were used for data collection. Results The experiences of 50 health care professionals were evaluated with questionnaires, 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the oral health of 407 community-dwelling frail older people was assessed. On each level of implementation, oral health care was integrated in the daily routine. On macro-level, education was planned (dose, adaption), and dental practices organized home visits (adaption). On meso-level, health care professionals attended meetings of the project (fidelity), worked interprofessionally, and used a screening-referral tool of the project DFTM! in daily practice (dose, adaption, reach). On micro-level, the frail older people participated in the screening of oral health (fidelity, dose), had their daily oral hygiene care observed (adaption) and supported if necessary, and some had themselves referred to a dental practice (reach). The semi-structured interviews also showed that the project increased the oral health awareness amongst health care professionals. Conclusions The project DFTM! was, in general, implemented and delivered as planned. Factors that contributed positively to the implementation were identified. With large-scale implementation, attention is needed regarding the poor accessibility of the oral health care professional, financial issues, and increased work pressure. Trial registration The Netherlands Trial Register NTR6159, registration done on December 13th 2016. URL: https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6028

Improving Local Service Delivery to Prevent Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Translating Research to Practice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis M Gagen ◽  
Maria T Bulzacchelli
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Prevention Interventions ◽  
Unintentional Falls ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Unintentional falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among Americans 65 years of age and older and place an enormous burden on the health care system. As the population continues to age, preventing falls will be increasingly important for reducing morbidity, mortality, and medical costs. Evidence-based fall prevention interventions for older adults exist, but widespread adoption of these interventions is needed. Local health departments, Area Agencies on Aging, first responders, and health care professionals can all play important roles in implementing fall prevention programs. This article presents a conceptual model for local delivery of fall prevention programs for community-dwelling older adults. This model can serve as a guide for translating existing fall prevention research into practice.

The Preschool Stuttering Screen for Health Care Professionals

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-62
Author(s):  
Joseph Donaher ◽  
Christina Deery ◽  
Sarah Vogel
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Developmental Profile

Healthcare professionals require a thorough understanding of stuttering since they frequently play an important role in the identification and differential diagnosis of stuttering for preschool children. This paper introduces The Preschool Stuttering Screen for Healthcare Professionals (PSSHP) which highlights risk factors identified in the literature as being associated with persistent stuttering. By integrating the results of the checklist with a child’s developmental profile, healthcare professionals can make better-informed, evidence-based decisions for their patients.

Key Factors Influencing Implementation of Falls Prevention Exercise Programs in the Community

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley Day ◽  
Margaret J. Trotter ◽  
Alex Donaldson ◽  
Keith D. Hill ◽  
Caroline F. Finch
Keyword(s):  
Program Implementation ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovations ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovations Theory ◽  
Exercise Programs ◽  
Program Leaders ◽  
Home Based

The study aim was to evaluate the implementation of group- and home-based exercise falls prevention programs delivered through community health agencies to community-dwelling older people. Interviews with program staff were guided by the Diffusion of Innovations theory. Highly consistent themes emerged for the two types of programs. Both had high overall compatibility, high relative advantage, good observability and high inherent trialability—all factors known to strengthen implementation. The level of complexity and low financial compatibility emerged as the strongest potential inhibitors to program implementation in the context examined. The two main factors contributing to complexity were the need to challenge balance safely across a broad range of capability, and practical considerations associated with program delivery.A range of strategies to provide more technical support for exercise program leaders to tailor balance challenge for exercise program leaders may enhance implementation of falls prevention exercise programs.

scholarly journals Health-care Workforce Training to Effectively Support Family Caregivers of Seniors in Care

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-171
Author(s):  
Rachel Fisher ◽  
Jasneet Parmar ◽  
Wendy Duggleby ◽  
Peter George J. Tian ◽  
Wonita Janzen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Workforce Training ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Canadian Health Care System ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis

Introduction Family caregivers (FCGs) play an integral, yet often invisible, role in the Canadian health-care system. As the population ages, their presence will become even more essential as they help balance demands on the system and enable community dwelling seniors to remain so for as long as possible. To preserve their own well-being and capacity to provide ongoing care, FCGs require support to the meet the challenges of their daily caregiving responsibilities. Supporting FCGs results in better care provision to community-dwelling seniors receiving health-care services, as well as enhancing the quality of life for FCGs. Although FCGs rely upon health-care professionals (HCPs) to provide them with support and services, there is a paucity of research pertaining to the type of health workforce training (HWFT) that HCPs should receive to address FCG needs. Programs that train HCPs to engage with, empower, and support FCGs are required. Objective To describe and discuss key findings of a caregiver symposium focused on determining components of HWFT that might better enable HCPs to support FCGs. Methods A one-day symposium was held on February 22, 2018 in Edmonton, Alberta, to gather the perspectives of FCGs, HCPs, and stakeholders. Attendees participated in a series of working groups to discuss barriers, facilitators, and recommendations related to HWFT. Proceedings and working group discussions were transcribed, and a qualitative thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes. Results Participants identified the following topic areas as being essential to training HCPs in the provision of support for FCGs: understanding the FCG role, communicating with FCGs, partnering with FCGs, fostering FCG resilience, navigating healthcare systems and accessing resources, and enhancing the culture and context of care. Conclusions FCGs require more support than is currently being provided by HCPs. Training programs need to specifically address topics identified by participants. These findings will be used to develop HWFT for HCPs.

scholarly journals Health system challenges affecting falls prevention in persons living with HIV: perspectives from physiotherapists in four sub-Saharan regions

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Y. Charumbira ◽  
Karina Berner ◽  
Quinette A. Louw
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Prevention Services ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of physiotherapists in four selected regions of sub-Saharan Africa regarding health system challenges impacting the integration of physiotherapy-led falls prevention services in the primary care of persons living with HIV (PLWH). Background: Falls may pose a significant problem among younger PLWH in low- and middle-income countries. Physiotherapists’ role in optimising function and quality of life can do much in the prevention of falls in PLWH and reducing the harm that results. However, falls prevention strategies have not been implemented effectively especially in primary health care settings in sub-Saharan Africa. Physiotherapists’ account of the health system challenges they encounter may provide insights into potential strategies that may be considered in optimising fall prevention for PLWH in poorly resourced settings. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in selected urban districts in the capital cities of four sub-Saharan African countries. In-depth interviews were conducted with 21 purposively selected physiotherapists involved in the primary care of PLWH. Audio recordings of interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using deductive thematic content analysis. Findings: The main results are presented in the theme ‘Health care system challenges’ and in nine categories informed by the WHO health system framework: lack of policies and clinical practice guidelines, shortage/Inaccessible falls prevention services, inadequate human resource, physiotherapists not adequately equipped in falls prevention, inaccessible/No facilities for BMD measurement, inefficient data capturing systems, lack of evidence regarding falls among PLWH, unclear physiotherapy role descriptions, inefficient referral system. Physiotherapists highlighted the need for more information and research regarding fall prevention for PLWH, promote their role in the primary care of PLWH and adopt a patient-centred approach to fall prevention.

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