256842 Can a Fall Prevention Coalition impact service providers' behaviors?

Monday, October 29, 2012

Jessica Carpio, Bachelor of Science , Aging & Independence Services, Health Promotion, County of San Diego, Chula Vista, CA
Kristen D. Smith, MPH , Aging & Independence Services, San Diego, CA
Many communities in the U.S. have formed coalitions to address the multi-factorial issue of fall prevention, but not many have evaluated the impact of their provider education on the providers' behavior. The Fall Prevention Task Force (FPTF) was established with the mission of reducing falls in San Diego County. Activities include distribution of educational materials, creation of several videos, and educational events for service providers and older adults. In 2008, a FPTF needs assessment found that very few local service providers conducted primary fall prevention activities with their clients, nor did they refer clients to other service providers to address fall risk factors. In response, the FPTF designed a “Fall Prevention Toolkit,” and created an on-line Resource Guide for local professionals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the FPTF in changing the behavior of local professionals reached by the FPTF. A “Survey Monkey” was sent to FPTF members and to people who had received a Toolkit (approximately 300 people). Preliminary analysis of the 68 respondent surveys indicates that many providers have changed their practice behaviors. For instance, a little over half (54.2%) said they refer clients to community programs such as exercise classes more often than before FPTF involvement. Thirty percent (30%) said they conduct fall risk assessments more often now. In a more detailed analysis, we hope to find a significant positive association between the level of involvement in the FPTF and the level of fall prevention activities conducted with older adults.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice

Learning Objectives:
1) Analyze the association between involvement in the San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force and service providers' level of fall prevention related activities conducted with older adults.

Keywords: Aging, Injury Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked in the field of public health and aging for 13 years, in academic and local government arenas. I have focused on the area of fall prevention for many of these years in research, program evaluation, coalition coordination, education and program development.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.