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[Long lie: development of a definition using the Delphi method]
Jenny Kubitza1, Iris Tamara Schneider2
1TUM School of Medicine and Health, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Spiritual Care und psychosomatische Gesundheit, TUM Universitätsklinikum, München, Technische Universität München, Kaulbachstraße 22A, 80593, München, Deutschland. jenny.kubitza@tum.de.
Background:
The term "long lie" is frequently used in German-speaking countries although no standardized national or international definition currently exists. Given the high prevalence of long lies among older adults and the significant effects for those affected, a definition is necessary. The aim of this study is to develop a standardized German language definition of the term long lie in older adults.
Methods:
In a three-round Delphi study 50 experts from various professions evaluated key components of the term in relation to their relevance. The consensus criteria were defined as a minimum agreement rate of 75% and an interquartile range of ≤ 1. Characteristics that met these criteria were carried over to the next round and integrated into the final definition.
Results:
In the final round 77.6% of the experts approved the definition. The interquartile ranges for all assessed components were consistently ≤ 1. There was consensus regarding the components of acute impaired mobility, the inability to free oneself, the resulting loss of control, the traumatic experience and the multidimensional effects. Disagreement existed regarding the significance of a temporal component as well as the prioritization of physical effects in comparison to psychological and emotional effects.
Conclusion:
A consensus-based definition of long lies in older adults has been developed. The results also show interprofessional differences in the assessment of key components and underscore the need for further conceptual and interprofessional coordination in research and care.
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