Factors influencing communication about frailty in primary care: A scoping review. Issue 3 (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lawless, Michael T.; Archibald, Mandy M.; Ambagtsheer, Rachel C.; Kitson, Alison L.
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 103:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 436
• Page End: 450
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Aged -- Frail elderly -- Frailty -- Health communication -- Primary health care -- Scoping review; Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.09.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Highlights: Communicating with older persons about frailty is a growing priority for primary care providers. Timely and sensitive conversations may help improve frailty status and health in older adulthood. What constitutes effective communication between stakeholders is poorly explicated. Enabling factors include appropriate language, communication training, and integrated systems. We recommend a systematic approach to the quality and timing of frailty-related communication. Abstract: Objective: To summarise the available evidence on the factors influencing communication about frailty in the primary care setting. Methods: We conducted a scoping review, searching five electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and ProQuest ) for studies addressing communication about frailty in primary care practice. Reference list and grey literature searching was conducted to identify additional articles. A narrative descriptive method was used to synthesise the findings. Results: The search identified 3185 articles and 37 were included in the review. We identified five categories of factors influencing communication about frailty at the consumer, healthcare provider, and system levels: (1) consumer perceptions, information needs, and communication preferences; (2) healthcare providers' knowledge, capacities, and attitudes; (3) clinical communication skills and training; (4) availability of information and communication technologies; and (5) care coordination, collaboration, and case management. Conclusion: Findings offer considerations for the design and delivery of initiatives to improve communication about frailty in primary care both at the local clinical level and at the broader level of healthcare service delivery. Practice implications: Healthcare providers and systems require practical, evidence-informed guidance regarding the development of a systematic approach to the quality and timing of communication about frailty in healthcare encounters.