Citation

Stuart GM, Kale HL. Health Promot. J. Austr. 2018; 29(2): 204-207.

Affiliation

Central Coast Health Promotion Service, Central Coast Local Health District, PO Box 361, 2250, Gosford, NSW.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Australian Health Promotion Association, Publisher CAIRO Publishing)

DOI

10.1002/hpja.167

PMID

29675851

Abstract

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Fall injuries among people aged 65 years and over (older people) cause substantial health decline and cost to the health system. In 2009 in New South Wales 25.6% of older people fell in the previous year, and 10.7% (32,000) were hospitalised. Pharmacists are trusted professionals, who interact extensively with older people and have potential to augment fall prevention in pharmacies. This brief report describes how professional development improved pharmacist's knowledge and confidence in fall prevention, encouraged implementation of fall prevention plans, and facilitated provision of brief fall prevention interventions for older clients, after identification of fall risk.

METHODS: In 2014, pharmacists from all Central Coast pharmacies (n=76) were invited to free, continuing professional development (CPD) in fall prevention. It provided education and resources to identify clients' fall risk, conduct brief fall prevention interventions, and implement fall prevention health promotion plans (FPHPP). Pharmacists completed written: 1.Baseline and post workshop questionnaires to assess changes in pharmacist's knowledge and confidence, and existing fall prevention in pharmacies. 2.Logs of client fall risk, and brief fall prevention interventions offered to clients. 3.Four month follow-up questionnaires to assess implementation of FPHPPs and pharmacy practice changes.

RESULTS: Pharmacists representing 36% of pharmacies participated. At four months follow-up, 67% had implemented FPHPPs, and 62% delivered brief interventions determined by client fall risk.

CONCLUSIONS: Fall prevention in pharmacies can be augmented through locally provided CPD tailored for pharmacists. SO WHAT: This model could increase fall prevention reach. It is transferable to settings where health professionals provide services to older adults and require re-registration through professional development. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Language: en