Perspectives on frailty screening, management and its implementation among acute care providers in Singapore: a qualitative study

BMC Geriatrics

Christopher Tsung Chien Lien¹  Xiao Liu²  Mai Khanh Le²  Shiou Liang Wee²  James Alvin Yiew Hock Low²  Tu Ngoc Nguyen²  Amber Yew Chen Lim²  Emily Jiali Koh²  Naveed Anjum Malik³  Lydia Shu Yi Au⁴  Jer En Lee⁵ 

[1] Changi General Hospital;Geriatric Education and Research Institute;Khoo Teck Puat Hospital;Ng Teng Fong General Hospital;Woodlands Health Campus;

关键词: Frailty Screening;    Perspective;    Healthcare Providers;    Implementation;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12877-021-02686-w

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background COVID-19 pandemic has reminded how older adults with frailty are particularly exposed to adverse outcomes. In the acute care setting, consideration of evidence-based practice related to frailty screening and management is needed to improve the care provided to aging populations. It is important to assess for frailty in acute care so as to establish treatment priorities and goals for the individual. Our study explored understanding on frailty and practice of frailty screening among different acute care professionals in Singapore, and identify barriers and facilitators concerning frailty screening and its implementation. Methods A qualitative study using focus group discussion among nurses and individual interviews among physicians from four departments (Accident & Emergency, Anesthesia, General Surgery, Orthopedics) in three acute hospitals from the three public health clusters in Singapore. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling of specific clinicians seeing a high proportion of older patients at the hospitals. Thematic analysis of the data was performed using NVIVO 12.0. Results Frailty was mainly but inadequately understood as a physical and age-related concept. Screening for frailty in acute care was considered important to identify high risk patients, to implement targeted treatment and care, and to support decision making and prognosis estimation. Specific issues related to screening, management and implementation were identified: cooperation from patient/caregivers, acceptance from healthcare workers/hospital managers, need for dedicated resources, guidelines for follow-up management and consensus on the scope of measurement for different specialties. Conclusion Our findings indicated the need for 1) frailty-related education program for patients/care givers and stakeholders 2) inter-professional collaboration to develop integrated approach for screening and management of hospital patients with frailty and 3) hospital-wide consensus to adopt a common frailty screening tool.

【 授权许可】

Unknown