Tailored Education for Older Patients to Facilitate Engagement in Falls Prevention Strategies after Hospital Discharge—A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063450
• Publication Date: 2013-05-23T20:59:20Z
• Authors: Anne-Marie Hill; Christopher Ether...; Terry P. Haines
• Keywords: Fall prevention; Odds

Background The aims of the study were to evaluate effect providing tailored falls prevention education in hospital on: i) engagement targeted behaviors month after discharge: ii) patients' self-perceived risk and knowledge about strategies receiving education. Methods A pilot randomized controlled trial (n = 50): baseline outcome assessments conducted by blinded researchers. Participants: inpatients 60 years or older, discharged community. Participants into two groups. intervention was a package consisting multimedia information with trained health professional follow-up, delivered addition usual care. Outcome measures discharge measured at one structured survey, participants' knowledge, confidence motivation levels before feasibility examined outcomes (falls, fall-related injuries) also collected. Results Forty-eight patients (98%) provided follow-up data. complete 21 (84%) group participants. significantly more likely plan how safely restart functional activities [Adjusted odds ratio 3.80, 95% CI (1.07, 13.52), p 0.04] other such as completing their own home exercise program 2.76, (0.72, 10.50), 0.14] than control group. knowledgeable, confident motivated engage There 23 5 intervention; n 18 control) rates 5.4/1000 patient days (intervention); 18.7/1000 (control). Conclusion This received positively older people, resulted increased is feasible deliver patients. Trial registration registered Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; ACTRN12611000963921 on 8th November 2011.