Survey of Fall Prevention Services in the UK
Author Information
Author(s): Sarah E Lamb, Joanne D Fisher, Simon Gates, Rachel Potter, Matthew W Cooke, Yvonne H Carter
Primary Institution: Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick
Hypothesis
What is the current state of fall prevention services in the UK and how do they compare to NICE guidelines?
Conclusion
The most common type of service provision was a multi-factorial assessment and intervention, but many services did not meet NICE guidelines.
Supporting Evidence
- 303 clinics were identified across the UK, with 231 agreeing to participate.
- 76% of services were based in acute or community hospitals.
- Most services conducted multi-factorial assessments, but the quality varied significantly.
- Only 43% of services addressed medication issues directly.
Takeaway
This study looked at how well the UK helps older people avoid falls, and found that while there are many services, they often don't do what they should.
Methodology
A national survey using a cascade sampling approach and telephone interviews with service leads.
Potential Biases
Potential reporting bias due to reliance on service leads for information.
Limitations
The survey may have reporting bias as it relied on self-reported data from service leads.
Participant Demographics
Services were identified across all UK health regions, primarily in urban settings.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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