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Perspectives on frailty screening, management and its implementation among acute care providers in Singapore: a qualitative study.
Liu, Xiao; Le, Mai Khanh; Lim, Amber Yew Chen; Koh, Emily Jiali; Nguyen, Tu Ngoc; Malik, Naveed Anjum; Lien, Christopher Tsung Chien; Lee, Jer En; Au, Lydia Shu Yi; Low, James Alvin Yiew Hock; Wee, Shiou Liang.
  • Liu X; Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Yishun, Singapore.
  • Le MK; Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Yishun, Singapore.
  • Lim AYC; Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Yishun, Singapore.
  • Koh EJ; Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Yishun, Singapore.
  • Nguyen TN; Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Yishun, Singapore.
  • Malik NA; Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun, Singapore.
  • Lien CTC; Changi General Hospital, Simei, Singapore.
  • Lee JE; Woodlands Health Campus, Yishun, Singapore.
  • Au LSY; Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Jurong East, Singapore.
  • Low JAYH; Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Yishun, Singapore.
  • Wee SL; Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun, Singapore.
BMC Geriatr ; 22(1): 58, 2022 01 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1634794
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

COVID-19 pandemic has reminded how older adults with frailty are particularly exposed to adverse outcomes. In the acute care setting, consideration of evidence-based practice related to frailty screening and management is needed to improve the care provided to aging populations. It is important to assess for frailty in acute care so as to establish treatment priorities and goals for the individual. Our study explored understanding on frailty and practice of frailty screening among different acute care professionals in Singapore, and identify barriers and facilitators concerning frailty screening and its implementation.

METHODS:

A qualitative study using focus group discussion among nurses and individual interviews among physicians from four departments (Accident & Emergency, Anesthesia, General Surgery, Orthopedics) in three acute hospitals from the three public health clusters in Singapore. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling of specific clinicians seeing a high proportion of older patients at the hospitals. Thematic analysis of the data was performed using NVIVO 12.0.

RESULTS:

Frailty was mainly but inadequately understood as a physical and age-related concept. Screening for frailty in acute care was considered important to identify high risk patients, to implement targeted treatment and care, and to support decision making and prognosis estimation. Specific issues related to screening, management and implementation were identified cooperation from patient/caregivers, acceptance from healthcare workers/hospital managers, need for dedicated resources, guidelines for follow-up management and consensus on the scope of measurement for different specialties.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings indicated the need for 1) frailty-related education program for patients/care givers and stakeholders 2) inter-professional collaboration to develop integrated approach for screening and management of hospital patients with frailty and 3) hospital-wide consensus to adopt a common frailty screening tool.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Frailty / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Aged / Humans Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: BMC Geriatr Journal subject: Geriatrics Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12877-021-02686-w

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Frailty / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Aged / Humans Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: BMC Geriatr Journal subject: Geriatrics Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12877-021-02686-w