Authors (including presenting author) :
Sum C(1), Chan HY(1), Lui CK(1), Lee MSC(1), Chu KKL(2), Lo KY(2), Tsang TC(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Occupational Therapy Department, Queen Mary Hospital
(2)Department of Accident and Emergency, Queen Mary Hospital
Introduction :
Occupational Therapy Frail Elderly Program (OTFEP) was conducted in Emergency Medical Ward at Queen Mary Hospital. Eligible patients with fall risk or outdoor fall history would be recruited to OTFEP SOPD, which included an initial assessment, two group sessions and three telephone follow-ups regularly within 1 year after initial assessment. Outcomes including functional status, compliance to home programs and fall episodes were reviewed. Results showed that patients completed OTFEP SOPD showed maintained functional status, yet with decreased compliance to home programs upon 6-month telephone follow-up, and 25% patients experienced recurrent falls within the follow-up period.
Objectives :
To enhance service provision and outcome of OTFEP SOPD
Methodology :
Upon review and analysis of the outcomes, decreased compliance to home programs and recurrent falls were identified at 6-month telephone follow-up. To improve patient’s compliance and reduce fall, service enhancement plans were formulated. Pre- and post-session knowledge quiz and post session questionnaire were incorporated to measure patient’s understanding to fall prevention education and feedback in group experience respectively. Knowledge quiz scores were compared using paired sample t-test.
Result & Outcome :
From 13/09/2024 to 20/12/2024, a total of 15 patients completed OTFEP SOPD service enhancement trial. Significant increase in knowledge quiz total score from 7.69 to 10.77 (n=13, 95%CI 1.76-4.39, p<0.0001) was identified. It is believed that patients have a considerable understanding of fall-related knowledge educated in the group sessions.
For post-session questionnaires, all patients were satisfied with the group, agreeing that the group is effective in enhancing understanding of fall prevention, reducing fear of fall and improving confidence in daily participation. 46.67% of patients suggested spending more time for Health Qigong practice, which may promote their compliance in home programs.
Further service enhancement measures including extension of HA Go Health Qigong video prescription, and restructure of group content with increasing time spent on Health Qigong practice were considered. Moreover, booster session for selected patients was added. Those patients with decreased compliance to home programs or recurrent falls identified during 6-month telephone follow-up will be invited to booster session, which adjustment in home programs and reinforcement of fall-related knowledge would be provided. OTFEP SOPD outcome and patient’s feedback will be reviewed regularly, to monitor progress of service enhancement.
