A randomized trial comparing digital video disc with written delivery of falls prevention education for older patients in hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of a digital video disc (DVD) with that of a written workbook delivering falls prevention education to older hospital patients on self-perceived risk of falls, perception of falls epidemiology, knowledge of prevention strategies, and motivation and confidence to engage in self-protective strategies. To compare the effect of receiving either education approach versus no education on patients' perception of falls epidemiology.


METHODS
Randomized trial (DVD vs workbook) with additional quasi-experimental control group.


METHODS
Geriatric, medical, and orthopedic wards in Perth and Brisbane, Australia.


METHODS
One hundred (n=51 DVD, n=49 workbook) hospital inpatients aged 60 and older receiving an intervention (mean age 75.3+/-10.1) and 122 in the control group (mean age 79.3+/-8.3).


METHODS
Participants randomly assigned to receive identical educational material on falls prevention delivered on a DVD or in a workbook. Control group received usual care.


METHODS
Custom-designed survey addressing elements of the Health Belief Model of health behavior change.


RESULTS
Participants randomized to DVD delivery had a higher self-perceived risk of falling (P=.04) and higher levels of confidence (P=.03) and motivation (P=.04) to engage in self-protective strategies than participants who received the workbook. A higher proportion of participants who received either form of the education provided "desired" responses than of control group participants across all knowledge items (P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Delivery of falls prevention education on a DVD compared to a written workbook is more likely to achieve important changes in parameters likely to affect successful uptake of falls prevention messages in the hospital setting.
Hill
Anne-Marie
AM
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. ahill3@nd.edu.au
McPhail
Steven
S
Hoffmann
Tammy
T
Hill
Keith
K
Oliver
David
D
Beer
Christopher
C
Brauer
Sandra
S
Haines
Terry P
TP
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014742:Videodisc Recording; D014956:Writing