Knowledge translation for falls prevention: the view from Canada

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Falls are a significant issue for older adults, with many instances being preventable.
• Falls prevention interventions are often multifactorial, involving various healthcare professions and settings.
• Knowledge translation (KT) for falls prevention is complex due to its multifaceted nature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evidence base for falls prevention interventions.
• To examine published demonstrations of knowledge translation (KT) in falls prevention.
• To assess the visibility and accessibility of falls prevention Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) from Canadian health professional associations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of falls prevention evidence and KT studies.
• Website analysis of CPG visibility and accessibility for nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician associations.
• Review of studies on falls prevention care gaps and CPG uptake in Canadian healthcare.

Main Results:

• Evidence supports the preventability of many falls in older adults, with potential for cost savings.
• KT for falls prevention faces challenges due to the complexity of interventions and delivery settings.
• Accessibility of falls prevention CPGs varies among Canadian health professional associations.

Conclusions:

• Findings can inform fall prevention programs in long-term care and hospital settings.
• Further research is needed on effective KT strategies for falls prevention in Canadian healthcare.
• Addressing care gaps and improving CPG uptake are crucial for enhancing falls prevention efforts.