Improving comprehensive geriatric assessments with the clinical frailty scale: a focus group study

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to exploratively evaluate the geriatric team’s views on the implementation of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) on frail older people with acute orthopaedic disorders who are cared for in two geriatric care wards in the southwest of Sweden. Methods: A qualitative design with focus groups was applied, based on a social constructivist research tradition. This approach differs from other qualitative methods, such as interviews, in that it encourages interaction between research participants and contributes to shedding light on a collective understanding of the world. This means that the analysis is based on the group’s collective input, not individual statements. The study group consisted of 21 professionals participating in four focus groups, with five to six participants per group. The participants in each group represented different professions within the geriatric team, including nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists. Results: The results underscore the importance of the CFS as the basis for CGA, emphasizing the effectiveness of the scale as a shared instrument promoting collaboration in healthcare. Our study uniquely points out the lack of research exploring the team-based use of tools for conducting a frailty assessment using the CFS. The study also highlights the importance of effective teamwork and a person-centred approach. The balance between person-centred care and what is feasible within the organization is crucial to providing the best possible care for patients. Conclusions: In Sweden, as in other places, how healthcare staff experience their work is key to the quality of care. The study concludes that positive staff experiences with new approaches drive healthcare improvement, benefiting patients and society. This highlights the potential for further improvements in healthcare delivery through continued innovation and collaboration. Trial registration: Clinical trial number: not applicable.