Co-production of a multi-factorial falls prevention tool for use in social prescribing

Introduction

Injurious falls are common, especially amongst adults older than 65. World and UK guidance recommend adopting a multifactorial approach to falls prevention, and there are tools that can support practitioners to address multiple falls risks. Many of these risks can be addressed through simple, practical actions (e.g., removing trip hazards, checking suitability of footwear). Social prescribing practitioners (SPPs) provide patients with non-clinical practical and emotional support in the community and are well-positioned to prevent falls. To our knowledge, no effective, evidence-based multifactorial falls prevention tool has been created specifically for delivery by SPPs. We aimed to coproduce such a tool.

Method

Seven stakeholder consultations were undertaken with SPPs and their managers to inform study recruitment and coproduction strategies. Five coproduction focus groups were then attended by 10 SPPs and 14 adults at risk of falls. Prototyping, wherein participants tested delivering the tool to one another, was then undertaken. Tool coproduction and refinement and recommendations for developing training on using the tool were informed by iterative participant feedback received during focus group and prototyping stages.

Results

SPP participants confirmed that their clients are frequently adults at risk of falling, and that SPPs can often refer patients to services that can address falls risks (e.g., physiotherapy; occupational therapy; strength and balance exercise programmes). Participants recommended that the tool is delivered in such a way that clients do not feel they are being assessed according to a checklist, and that clients are followed up within 3 months of tool delivery. The coproduced tool was found to take 30-to-60 minutes to deliver. Participants reported the coproduced tool to be acceptable and useful.

Conclusions

The coproduced tool could support SPPs to prevent falls amongst adults at risk of falling. Pilot testing in practice is now underway, and further acceptability and feasibility testing is needed.