ENGAGING GENERAL PRACTITIONERS IN FALLS PREVENTION: A PILOT SURVEY OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS IN NHS ENGLAND

Background: A strong evidence base of effective falls prevention interventions exists, yet the rate of hospitalisations for falls continues to rise. Older people in the community are not routinely screened for falls risk prior... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
A strong evidence base of effective falls prevention interventions exists, yet the rate of hospitalisations for falls continues to rise. Older people in the community are not routinely screened for falls risk prior to fall events, and may not have access to effective falls prevention interventions. As general practitioners (GPs) are in a key position to identify older people at risk of falls, and refer to allied health practitioners including occupational therapists (OTs), a survey was distributed to GPs in NHS England to identify their current falls prevention practices.
Method:
An electronic survey was used based on previous work conducted in Australia, and was distributed using email addresses of GP practices found on the NHS Choices website and through a survey link via clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) using social media (Twitter and Linkedin). Survey data were analysed using descriptive methods.
Results:
Responses were received from 37 GPs from across NHS England. Most were female (70%), worked in practices of 1-5 GPs (46%), and had been practising for 20+ years (35%). Most were unfamiliar with the latest guidelines on screening for falls risk (NICE, 2013) (52%), and only 30% routinely asked older people if they had experienced a fall at consultations. Whilst 84% identified OTs as providing evidence based falls prevention, only 57% indicated they had made referrals to OT.
Conclusion:
There are gaps in the falls prevention practices of GPs.
Application to Practice:
OTs need to develop better relationships with GPs to enhance referrals for falls prevention services locally.