Barbosa Dos Santos Renato, de Aquino Marcos Paulo Miranda, da Silva Tatiane, Lima Camila Astolphi, Salbach Nancy M, Hill Keith D, Sherrington Catherine, Perracini Monica R
Master's and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de Sao Paulo - UNICID, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Master's and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de Sao Paulo - UNICID, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Braz J Phys Ther. 2025 Aug 22;29(6):101252. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2025.101252.
Understanding how physical therapists (PTs) approach fall prevention in older adults and factors that may influence their clinical practices is essential for designing knowledge translation strategies.
To describe PTs' clinical practices and barriers to implementing fall prevention best practices in older adults and to identify professional characteristics associated with implementation of fall prevention best practices.
A cross-sectional online survey was conducted. Registered PTs providing care to older adults were recruited through social media platforms. A pre-tested questionnaire assessed clinical practice patterns, sociodemographic and professional characteristics, and behavioral factors influencing the implementation of fall prevention best practices. Data were analyzed descriptively, and multinomial regression identified associations between PTs' characteristics and practice frequency. The Theoretical Domains Framework and the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour model guided questionnaire design and interpretation of findings.
Among 454 PTs surveyed, over 65 % reported frequently (often or always) asking patients about falls, identifying and documenting fall risk factors, and implementing fall prevention interventions. Recommended practices such as balance and strength training were commonly implemented. Barriers to fall prevention best practices included patient denial of risk, reluctance to report falls, and adherence challenges. PTs not practicing in geriatrics or those lacking up-to-date fall prevention knowledge were less likely to report consistent use of best practices.
Brazilian PTs frequently integrate fall prevention into older adult care but face patient-related barriers. Addressing the identified barriers through behavior change strategies could enhance the implementation of fall prevention best practices.
了解物理治疗师（PTs）如何应对老年人跌倒预防以及可能影响其临床实践的因素，对于设计知识转化策略至关重要。
描述PTs在老年人中实施跌倒预防最佳实践的临床实践和障碍，并确定与实施跌倒预防最佳实践相关的专业特征。
进行了一项横断面在线调查。通过社交媒体平台招募为老年人提供护理的注册物理治疗师。一份经过预测试的问卷评估了临床实践模式、社会人口学和专业特征，以及影响跌倒预防最佳实践实施的行为因素。对数据进行描述性分析，多项回归确定了PTs特征与实践频率之间的关联。理论领域框架和能力、机会、动机 - 行为模型指导了问卷设计和结果解释。
在接受调查的454名PTs中，超过65%的人报告经常（经常或总是）询问患者跌倒情况、识别并记录跌倒风险因素以及实施跌倒预防干预措施。诸如平衡和力量训练等推荐的实践方法得到普遍实施。跌倒预防最佳实践的障碍包括患者否认风险、不愿报告跌倒情况以及依从性挑战。不在老年医学领域执业或缺乏最新跌倒预防知识的PTs报告持续使用最佳实践的可能性较小。
巴西的PTs经常将跌倒预防纳入老年人护理中，但面临与患者相关的障碍。通过行为改变策略解决已识别的障碍可以加强跌倒预防最佳实践的实施。
