Health Practitioners' Perceptions of Falls and Fall Prevention in Older People: A Metasynthesis. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Rhyn, Brianne; Barwick, Alex
• Is Part Of: Qualitative health research. Volume 29:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 69
• Page End: 79
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: fall prevention -- research translation -- metasynthesis -- qualitative; Health -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Periodicals; Health -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 610.7205
• DOI: 10.1177/1049732318805753
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-7323

Abstract

Fall prevention has received a great deal of consideration and funding, however fall rates have not reduced accordingly. Health practitioners are key stakeholders in the process of implementing fall prevention evidence into their clinical assessment and management of older people at risk of falling. Investigating health practitioners' clinical experiences and perceptions has been identified as a means to enhance the translation of knowledge. Four databases were searched for studies exploring health practitioners' perceptions of falls and fall prevention. A metasynthesis of eight qualitative studies was conducted. The findings suggest that health practitioners face substantial barriers in the implementation of fall prevention practices. These include personal, interpersonal, and clinical barriers in addition to limitations of the research evidence. This knowledge hopes to enhance targeted dissemination of knowledge, reducing the research–practice gap and improving clinical outcomes for older people at risk of falls.