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Enhancing ward rounds for older patients with frailty: a modified Delphi process
Lene Holst Andersen1,2, Bo Løfgren3,4, Mads Skipper5
1Department of Medicine, Randers Regional Hospital, Skovlyvej 15, Randers, NE, DK-8930, Denmark. lehane@rm.dk.
BMC Medical Education
|March 28, 2025
Summary
This study established 108 consensus-based content items for effective ward rounds with frail older patients. These guidelines enhance medical professional proficiency in geriatric care and patient communication.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Medical Communication
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
Background:
- Ward round practices lack detailed descriptions, hindering proficiency.
- Older patients with frailty present unique challenges in clinical settings.
- Standardized guidelines are needed to improve care for this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify consensus-based content items for conducting ward rounds with older patients experiencing frailty.
- To provide clearer guidelines and enhance understanding of best practices for medical professionals.
- To improve the quality of care during hospital stays for frail elderly individuals.
Main Methods:
- A five-round Delphi study involving 30 geriatric medicine and 5 medical communication experts.
- Iterative thematic analysis of expert comments to refine content items.
- Consensus defined as 75% of participants rating items 7-9 on a 1-9 Likert scale.
Main Results:
- Consensus was reached on 108 content items for ward rounds with frail older patients.
- Items were categorized into four themes: preparation, conduction, competencies, and patient circumstances.
- Key areas include holistic review, environmental improvements, communication skills, and cognitive impairment considerations.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive set of 108 consensus items for geriatric ward rounds was developed.
- The findings provide a valuable resource for medical training and future research in geriatric care.
- Improved ward round practices can enhance patient outcomes for older adults with frailty.
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