Urban Australian general practitioners.

Conclusions GPs were knowledgeable about falls risk factors but this did not result in consistent falls risk screening, assessment or referral practices. Due to the small sample, further research is needed with a larger sample to augment these results.What is known about the topic? Falls are a common and serious health issue for older people and fall prevention is vital, especially in the primary care setting. General practitioners (GPs) are key health professionals to identify older people at risk of falls and refer them to appropriate health professionals for intervention. Evidence-based falls prevention interventions exist but are not easily or routinely accessed by older people.What does this paper add? GPs believe that previous falls are an important falls risk factor but they do not routinely ask about falls or fear of falls in clinical practice with older people. GP referral rates to allied health professionals for falls prevention are low, despite evidence-based falls prevention interventions being provided by allied health professionals. There are several barriers to GPs providing falls prevention assessment and intervention referrals, particularly using the current primary health systems.What are the implications for practitioners? GPs need to recognise their potential significant contribution to falls prevention in the community and may require tailored training. Sustainable evidence-based referral pathways need to be developed so that older people can be referred ...

Source: Australian Health Review - April 20, 2016 Category: Hospital Management Authors: Kielich K, Mackenzie L, Lovarini M, Clemson L Tags: Aust Health Rev Source Type: research