225Introduction of a Physiotherapy Service to a Falls and Syncope Unit

Abstract

Background: International guidelines recommend that older people at risk of falls are offered a multifactorial falls risk assessment (NICE, 2015). A recent initiative involved the introduction of a limited physiotherapy service to a Falls and Syncope Unit. The purpose of this study is to describe referrer feedback on this new service and give details of the patient profile referred for physiotherapy. Method(s): This study has both qualitative and quantitative aspects. The qualitative aspect involved gaining referrer feedback. An email with a link to an online survey was sent to clinical nurse specialists, registrars and consultants in the Falls and Syncope Unit. The quantitative aspect consisted of profiling all patients who were referred to the physiotherapy service in FASU between January and May 2017. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel. Result(s): Qualitative Results - There was a 90% response rate to the survey. 100% (n = 9) of referrers who responded felt that the physiotherapy service was useful and 78% (n = 7) of referrers were either satisfied or very satisfied with the physiotherapy service. Quantitative Results - Forty-three patients were profiled, male 40% (n = 17), female 60% (n = 26) with mean age 75.7 years (range 25-91 years). Falls risk factors identified included history of falls 84% (n = 36), fear of falling 58% (n = 25) and difficulty with gait and balance 93% (n = 40). Mean Timed up and Go score was 13.2 seconds (range 8-28 seconds). The most common physiotherapy interventions included provision of a home exercise programme 86% (n = 37), advice or education 81% (n = 35) and onward physiotherapy referral 44% (n = 19). Conclusion(s): Referrer feedback indicates that a physiotherapy service in a Falls and Syncope Unit is a useful adjunct to multifactorial falls risk assessment. Physiotherapist assessment allowed for identification of and early intervention for modifiable falls risk factors.