Original Research

The perspectives of healthcare practitioners on fall risk factors in older adults

Hendrika de Clercq, Alida Naude, Juan Bornman
Health SA Gesondheid | Vol 25 | a1495 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v25i0.1495 | © 2020 Hendrika de Clercq, Alida Naude, Juan Bornman | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 06 June 2020 | Published: 04 December 2020

About the author(s)

Hendrika de Clercq, Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Alida Naude, Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Juan Bornman, Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Accidental falls could have severe and far-reaching consequences for older adults, their families and society at large. Healthcare practitioners’ (HCPs) perspectives on fall risk factors in older adults could assist in reducing and even preventing falls. Currently, no universal tool exists for this purpose. The World Health Organization’s globally accepted International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was used.

Aim: This study aimed to (1) describe the perspectives of HCPs on fall risk factors in older adults in South Africa and (2) link these factors to the ICF.

Setting: Eighteen HCPs participated in two focus groups.

Methods: Using a qualitative research design, an inductive thematic analysis allowed for the identification of important themes, which were linked to the ICF.

Results: The factors mentioned by participants were categorised into 38 themes, which were linked to 142 ICF codes, of which 43% (n = 61) were linked to the Body Function category, 23% (n = 32) to the Environmental Factors category, 18% (n = 26) to the Body Structure category and 16% (n = 23) to the Activities and Participation category. HCPs revealed two relevant factors that were not captured in existing fall risk assessment tools (FRATs), namely ‘muscle-power functions’ and ‘mobility-of-joint functions’, which directly relate to the ability to execute mobility activities. Combining HCPs’ perspectives with other stakeholders and with literature provides a holistic picture of fall risk factors in older adults.


Keywords

disability and health; falls; fall risk; focus groups; ICF; International Classification of Functioning; healthcare practitioners

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