Date Presented 04/04/19
This abstract discusses the design and results of an interprofessional education (IPE) program for community members, caregivers, and healthcare providers (HCP). Education focused on fall prevention, home modifications, and the role of rehabilitation in geriatric oncology. Knowledge change was assessed by pre-post surveys. Results show significant improvement on knowledge change and intended behavior for all three audiences. Continued training efforts are necessary for broader dissemination.
Primary Author and Speaker: Chrysanne Karnick
Contributing Authors: Natalie Gangai, Rosario Costas Muñiz, Ruth Manna, Beatriz Korc-Grodzicki
PURPOSE: In 2014, older adults reported 29 million falls in the previous 12 months1, with 30,000 adults ≥ 65 dying due to falls in 20162. Older adults can take measures to reduce fall risk in their homes and in the community and maintain independence. HCP have a unique role in preventing falls by asking about falls or near falls, reviewing medications and screening for fall risk. Education efforts can yield incremental and effective practice changes3. An interprofessional team of HCP at a comprehensive cancer center created and delivered workshops to increase knowledge about falls prevention with a medically underserved, diverse audience.
DESIGN: An interprofessional team of geriatric HCP developed workshops highlighting falls risk and prevention for community adults and HCP. Educational workshops were provided in community centers, libraries, places of worship and in partnership with local hospitals. An Occupational Therapist (OT) and Physical Therapist (PT) taught 3 workshops together, two for caregivers and one for registered nurses (RN). The OT taught nine workshops for community members. The workshops were focused on home modifications, safe patient handling (SPH), fall prevention and the role of OT/ PT in caring for geriatric oncology patients. Practical and culturally competent steps were emphasized throughout all sessions. Materials were translated into South Asian languages and live-interpretation was provided as most community participants did not speak English.
METHODS: Participants completed pre and post surveys to assess knowledge change. Questions are written based on key concepts from the workshop objectives. After the workshop, participants were also asked, “how will this knowledge change your daily behavior?”. Independent t-tests were conducted for unmatched data during the first phase of the project and paired t-tests were conducted for matched data with p<0.05 being significant.
RESULTS: The mean of the participants was 67 years (SD=11.39), 46% were male, and 36% reported their primary language is Bengali and 28% Gujarati, 77% of the participants were born in a SA country, predominantly Bangladesh (n=70, 37%). 157 older adults completed surveys for the Falls Prevention sessions and 243 caregivers completed surveys for the SPH sessions. Both, the Falls Prevention sessions with unmatched (n=79) and matched data (n=78) showed significant improvements in knowledge about falls prevention after participating in the education session [t(135)=-3.33, p<0.001; t(78)=-3.19, p=0.002; respectively). Further caregivers who participated in the SPH session improved their learning for the unmatched (n=13) and matched data (n=10) after participating in the educational sessions [t(22)=-3.50, p=.002; t(10)=-3.74, p=0.005; respectively. Finally, for HCPs (n=11), the change in scores from pre (M=.56) to post (M=.73) were significant (t=-2.76, df=10, p=.02). Community members named specific interventions like getting nightlights and caregivers remarked that they felt more confident in transferring their care recipients between bed, chair and toilets.
CONCLUSION: Community and HCP education can have an impact on fall prevention, promoting safety at home and in the hospital as well as improving patient care by including OT on the interprofessional team. Older adult falls are largely preventable and education is one strategy to reduce the risk of falls. HCP support safe practices by discussing falls with older patients and providing appropriate interventions. Continued education can empower older adults with knowledge and emphasize easy steps to age in place, maintaining independence and quality of life. Caregivers and other HCP benefit from continued education to promote safer, holistic care for family members and patients.
References
1. Bergen G. Falls and fall injuries among adults aged≥ 65 years—United States, 2014. MMWR Morbidity and mortality weekly report. 2016;65.
2. Burns, E., & Kakara, R. (2018). Deaths from Falls Among Persons Aged≥ 65 Years—United States, 2007–2016. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 67(18), 509.
3. Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (Eds.). (2008). Health behavior and health education: theory, research, and practice. John Wiley & Sons.
