Fall Prevention Knowledge and Practice Patterns in Home Health Physical Therapists : Fall Prevention Practice in Home Health Physical Therapists

Ramsha Ayaz; Samia Sarmad; Sameed Liaqat; Sana Taqueer; Sadia Sukhera; Taimoor Ahmad; Rana Muhammad Adeel Younas

doi:10.54393/tt.v5i04.263

Authors

Ramsha Ayaz University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Samia Sarmad University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Sameed Liaqat University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Sana Taqueer University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Sadia Sukhera University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Taimoor Ahmad University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Rana Muhammad Adeel Younas University Institute of Physical Therapy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/tt.v5i04.263

Keywords:

Fall Prevention, Physiotherapists, Risk Assessment, Elderly, Home Health

Abstract

Physical therapists play a vital role in fall risk assessment and prevention due to their focus on modifiable physical risk factors. Objectives: To assess home health physical therapists’ knowledge of evidence-based fall prevention guidelines and fall risk assessment tools. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using both online and handwritten questionnaires. Data were collected from therapists working with elderly patients in home-based care using purposive sampling. The sample size was determined based on an estimated 25% prevalence of key practice patterns from prior studies, which would provide ± 7% precision at a 95% confidence level for our primary outcomes. Informed consent was obtained before data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: A total of 151 physiotherapists participated. Among them, 30.5% reported that most of their patients were aged 50 or above. Regarding screening, 80.8% agreed that all clients aged 50+ should be assessed for fall risk. However, only 31.8% conducted regular fall risk assessments, while 21.2% did not assess at all. Tools commonly used included the Berg Balance Test (39.1%) and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) (13.9%). Most therapists (75.5%) followed standard assessment flow charts, though 24.5% did not. Preventive measures were used by 90.7% of low-risk and 64.2% of high-risk patients. Conclusions: While awareness of fall risk screening is high among physiotherapists, assessment practices vary widely. Many do not use standardized protocols or assess consistently. There is a need for targeted training and standardized guidelines to improve fall prevention in older adults.

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