Identification of resources Identification of resources and development of a falls and development of a falls

prevention resources prevention resources websitewebsite

Keith Hill, Freda Vrantsidis, Marcia Fearn,

Karen Bull, Rani Hughes

Funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services

Background Background • DHS Falls Prevention Program has

funded over 100 programs in the past 6 years.

• Many projects have involved development of resources.

• Limited communication and limited dissemination of resources.

Project AimsProject Aims

• To identify, review and prioritise best quality falls prevention resources.

• Prepare the resources for placement on a website for generic use by other organisations.

• Develop a Falls Prevention website for easy access by Health Professionals and Older People that includes information, resources and relevant links.

Project ScopeProject ScopeResources produced as part of any DHS falls prevention project in the:

Community setting

Residential care setting

Hospital setting

Health professionals

Older people

ResearchersStudentsOthers....

MethodologyMethodology• Phase 1 - Identification, retrieval and

rating of falls prevention resources• Phase 2 - Development of templates for

generic web-based resources• Phase 3 - Focus group testing of

recommended resources• Phase 4 - Web-site development with DHS

communication & web-development staff

All phases overseen by Project Reference Group

Phase 1 - Identification Phase 1 - Identification & retrieval of resources & retrieval of resources (1)(1)

• Identify resources through:– DHS copies of resources– Knowledge of the project team– Survey of all contacts for current & previous

projects - community & residential aged care (1998-current)• What resources were produced and used during the

program?• Whether these resources were still in use and still

available?• Whether the resources were being used by other

organisations?• Would they recommend resources to others?• Asked to provide copy of resource/s

Phase 1 - Identification Phase 1 - Identification & retrieval of resources & retrieval of resources (2)(2)

• 42 surveys were completed (with resources)• 16 sites did not complete a survey however

resources were obtained• Overall obtained resources from 64% of

projects

• Of those resources not available - majority from projects in early years of funding

• Approx 300 resources were received

Phase 1 - ResourcesPhase 1 - Resources

• Risk Assessments (both self-checklists & conducted by HP)

• Environmental checklists (both self-checklists & conducted by HP)

• Brochures/booklets on both general falls prevention and specific topics in falls prevention (eg. exercise/physical activity, footwear)

• Posters• Videos• Incident forms• Staff Education• CALD resources (limited number identified)

- verification of translation/translation process

Types of resources identified and retrieved (both for health professionals and older people) include:

Phase 1 - Review by Expert Phase 1 - Review by Expert AdvisorsAdvisors

Phase 1 - Review by Expert Phase 1 - Review by Expert AdvisorsAdvisors

Phase 2 - Generic Phase 2 - Generic ResourcesResources

•Modifications to resources:– To provide them with a similar look (logo

& slogan)– To make them generic

•Resources available to download in different formats.

•Graphic design input for some resources.

Phase 3 - Focus groupsPhase 3 - Focus groups• 3 focus groups:

– residential aged care health professionals– community health professionals– older people

• Key issues covered in focus groups:– did the resource convey its message in an easy to

understand manner?– was language used appropriate?– was layout / presentation / graphics appropriate?– was there any element of the resource that could be

omitted / added to?– was resource appropriate for inclusion on the web-

site?

Phase 3 - Focus groupsPhase 3 - Focus groups• Focus group findings:

– Good range / mix resources– Important to provide description of resource on

website– Repetition of older people’s resources– Limited access to / use of computers by older

people– Layout / design of some resources needs work– Terminology - “Seniors”, “Nursing Home/Hostel”

• Currently incorporating feedback into

resources

Phase 4 - Website Phase 4 - Website DevelopmentDevelopment

• User-friendly

• Suitable for Health Professionals and Older People

• Separate paths for Health Professionals and Older People

• Links within various categories and between the target groups

• A brief description will accompany each resource detailing its use (who, what, when, why, how)

• Links to other websites

• Will work with the DHS communication & web-development people in developing the website

Website - How it may Website - How it may work...work...

Efficient identification of suitable resources$$ resources available for implementation instead of resource development

Where to from here?...Where to from here?...

• Finish incorporating the feedback from the focus groups

• Prior to the website becoming public, the organisations who developed the resources will be asked to review it and their resource/s to ensure that the information is correct

• It is anticipated that the website will be ready to be launched by DHS at the end of March