Kansas physician assistants’ attitudes/beliefs and current practices regarding implementation of fall prevention strategies in older adults

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Issue Date
2010-04-23
Embargo End Date
Authors
Fraser, Shelton J.
Advisor
Hale, LaDonna S.
Citation

Fraser, Shelton J. (2010). Kansas physician assistants’ attitudes/beliefs and current practices regarding implementation of fall prevention strategies in older adults. -- In Proceedings: 6th Annual Symposium: Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects. Wichita, KS: Wichita State University, p. 29-30

Abstract

Falls among older adults are a significant economic and social healthcare issue. Evidence-based fall prevention guidelines exist but are not implemented in daily practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate attitudes/beliefs and current practices of Kansas physician assistants (PAs) regarding fall assessment and prevention strategies in older adults and barriers/facilitators to integrating strategies into daily practice. A 67-item, non-validated survey was mailed to all 760 Kansas PAs in 2009. Findings show that 100% of PAs felt fall prevention was important and 95% thought falls were preventable. Although > 90% felt a professional responsibility to implement fall prevention strategies; 50% or less actually did so routinely. PAs believe fall prevention is important but do not routinely implement strategies due to time, staffing, and feeling ill-prepared.

Table of Content
Description
Paper presented to the 6th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, Wichita State University, April 23, 2010.
Research completed at the Department of Physician Assistant, College of Health Professions
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