NPMT

Tutorial

Geriatric Falls

Introduction

Falls in the elderly population are common, and can result in potentially devastating consequences for function, quality of life and mortality. The Geriatric Falls module involves discussion of the risk factors and causes of falls, how these risks are screened for, and strategies to minimise them in hospital and community settings. It also aims to teach students how to assess patients who have fallen, and how to identify potentially serious post-fall sequelae.

Content Contributors:

Author: Dr Amelia Welch

Content approval: Dr Sunil Gupta

Version History
Verison 1: April 2020

  • It requires <15 minutes preparation.

  • It can be taught in 1 hour

Preparation materials: MMSE, Behavioral chart, Fluid balance & bowel charts (paper or electronic)

Teaching approach

As with all modules, familiarise yourself with the NPMT principles.

The session aims to:

  • Consider the multifactorial nature of the causes and risks of geriatric falls

  • Understand the various screening tools that can be used to determine risk of falls

  • Teach a framework for approaching geriatric patients who fall, including a comprehensive falls assessment including history, examination and investigation

  • Consider common post-fall sequalae, and appropriate investigations relating to these

  • Discuss risk minimisation and falls prevention strategies

Tips & Tricks:

  • Be as interactive as possible

  • Avoid going into too much detail about the management of specific post-fall sequalae. Focus on risk assessment and management of risk for this session

  • Incorporate case studies and examples to help illustrate how risk factors can contribute to falls

  • Encourage students to screen all elderly patients for their risk of falls

From our feedback, the more interactive and ‘put on the spot’ you make the session, the more valuable it will be. Having students think on the spot and share their ideas in a non-threatening environment is key to making the session light-hearted and collaborative so that they can apply what they have learnt at medical school to a clinical patient.

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