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Will seniors bring their STEADI fall risk screening results to their doctors?
METHODS: Six events were held in community centers around San Diego County and screenings from the STEADI toolkit were conducted with 313 individuals. Participants who agreed were called several months later and 151 completed our survey.
RESULTS/OUTCOMES: Thirty-four participants shared their balance screening results with their HCP. Another 25 participants reported having a discussion about falls with their HCP due to their experience with the STEADI screenings. Thus, a total of 39% of the screening participants followed up with their HCP in some way. Some who did not share results with their HCP reported taking other actions (e.g., joining an exercise class). Additional analysis will explore how the level of risk identified was related to the likelihood of acting on the results.
CONCLUSIONS: Community events using the STEADI fall risk screenings are a very promising method of prompting seniors to discuss fall prevention with their health care providers.
Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practiceImplementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Learning Objectives:
Describe the use of the CDC’s STEADI Toolkit in a non-medical community setting.
Evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based fall prevention screening.
Discuss the challenges involved in getting seniors and doctors to address primary prevention for falls.
Keyword(s): Aging, Screening Instruments
Not Answered